Endourological treatment of ureteral calculi

Endourological treatment of ureteral calculi can be highly successful and result in low morbidity rates. Several techniques are described that have a primary role and that serve as backup, including retrograde flushing, flexible nephroscopy, antegrade fluoroscopic basket, ultrasonic lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, chemolysis, and a combined antegrade and retrograde method. With these methods 114 of 120 consecutive patients with ureteral stones (95 per cent) underwent successful removal. The associated number of complications was low, with most patients being treated conservatively.