Percutaneous ureterolitholapaxy: the best bet to clear large bulk impacted upper ureteral calculi

The outcome of treating impacted upper ureteral calculi by extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy was less satisfactory than antegrade litholapaxy in our earlier experience. During a four year period (October 1988 to September 1992) 86 reno-ureteral units with impacted upper ureteral calculi were treated by percutaneous litholapaxy. We review our methods and results of this accumulated experience.

Moderate to severe proximal hydronephrosis on excretory urography or ultrasound was taken as evidence of impaction. Antegrade extraction was performed in a single stage, except in patients who presented with anuria, severe azotemia and urosepsis where the system was decompressed by initial nephrostomy drainage.

86 impacted upper ureteral calculi in 80 patients were treated by the percutaneous antegrade approach. Eleven were in a solitary functioning unit; 33% presented with moderate to severe renal failure. The average stone size was 256 sq mm. Associated renal calculous disease was present in 22 ipsilateral and 28 contralateral units. Total clearance was achieved in 74 units (86%) by antegrade litholapaxy alone. Adjunct ESWL (5) and ureteroscopy (4) rendered 96% of the units free; 3 units with recurrent calculi were salvaged by ESWL (2) and ureterolithotomy (1). Complications encountered in 17 (20%) patients were fewer in 13 (16%), ureteric perforation in 7 (9%), hematuria in 6 (7%) and ureteric stricture 1 (1%). Hospital stay was 5 days in uncomplicated cases; prolongation of stay (average 8.8 days) was necessitated in staged procedures (sepsis, renal failure), treatment of the contralateral unit or due to postoperative morbidity. The majority of the stones (80%) were of the calcium oxalate monohydrate variety.

It is concluded that failing a retrograde manipulation, percutaneous ureterolitholapaxy offers the best bet to clear large bulk impacted upper ureteral calculi.