Management of upper urinary tract calculi with ureteroscopic techniques

To evaluate our experience in treating 155 patients with upper urinary tract calculi ureteroscopically. The treatment of urinary calculi has remained the most frequent application of ureteroscopy. Miniaturization of semirigid and flexible ureteroscopes has permitted easier access to calculi throughout the urinary tract.

Ureteroscopic stone treatment was attempted in 155 patients with upper urinary tract calculi between November 1995 and March 1997. Fifty-nine (38.1%) patients had renal calculi, 82 (52.9%) ureteral, and 14 (9%) had both renal and ureteral calculi. Both semirigid and flexible ureteroscopes were used for treatment (rigid alone in 21 [13.5%], flexible in 64 [41.3%], and both rigid and flexible in 70 [45.2%] patients). Lithotripsy was required in 122 (79%) of the patients. The holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was used in 113 (92.6%) of these patients.

All patients with ureteral calculi (29 proximal, 19 mid, and 34 distal) were successfully cleared after one endoscopic procedure except for 1 patient with a proximal ureteral calculus who had a 4-mm residual fragment in the kidney. Of the 59 patients with renal calculi, 47 (79.7%) were totally clear of stones 1 month after treatment. The remaining 12 (20.3%) patients had evidence of residual calculi 3 to 4 mm or less in diameter. In patients with combined renal and ureteral calculi, 1 1 of 14 (78.6%) were rendered stone free. The remaining 3 (21.4%) patients had evidence of residual calculi 4 mm in diameter. Overall, 95% of the patients were treated in an outpatient setting. Morbidity was low, with no evidence of stricture.

Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy in experienced hands are a safe and reliable method for the treatment of ureteral and even intrarenal calculi.