Percutaneous removal of small ureteral calculi

Percutaneous renal and ureteral stone removal procedures are widely practiced. A new technique is described for removal of small symptomatic ureteral calculi using small (less than or equal to 14 French) tearable sheaths and standard stone retrieval baskets placed through acute percutaneous nephrostomy tracks. This fluoroscopically-guided technique was successful in 60 of 64 patients, who ranged from 16 to 88 years old. Subsequent endoscopic percutaneous calculus removal was successful in the four failures. The use of these small sheaths over previously described large tracks has produced no major complications, short hospital stays, and minimal patient disability.