A strategy for management of upper tract calculus disease

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureterorenoscopy now mean that approximately 98% of all renal and 85% of all ureteric calculi can be treated effectively, without recourse to open operative intervention, in centres possessing the necessary equipment and expertise. Experience with these techniques allows us to propose a strategy for the surgical treatment of upper tract stone disease.