Surgical treatment of ureteric stones

638 patients with ureteric stones have been evaluated. 174 patients (28%) were selected for surgical treatment. 129 out of the 174 patients initially underwent open surgery. In the other 45 patients the initial treatment was stone extraction by the Dormia technique after which 27 stones were removed successfully. In the remaining 18 patients catheterisation of the ureter was performed, after which stones passed spontaneously in 15 patients. In one patient the stone was removed by another attempt with the Dormia procedure and two patients underwent operation. At follow-up 4-6 weeks after the diagnosis of ureteric stones was made, no signs of stones were found by urography in either the 464 patients (72%) who never underwent any surgical procedure or in the patients treated by open surgery or other procedures. It is concluded that parameters such as degree of ureteric obstruction, infection, pain and stones not passed within 6 weeks are important factors in selection of patients for operation.