Paraureteral extrusion of calculi after endoscopic pulsed-dye laser lithotripsy

Laser lithotripsy has become an effective and low-morbidity procedure for the treatment of ureteral calculi. Nevertheless, ureteral endoscopy is not free of side effects and complications. Lithiasis extrusion is one of the early complications of this procedure, and usually, the diagnosis is carried out by means of urographic findings because it is not easily recognized during ureteroscopy. Between January 1990 and May 1996, a total of 1047 endoscopic lithotripsies with the pulsed-dye laser were performed in our department. The 3-month stone-free rate as a single treatment was 76.5%. We found 11 cases (1.05%) of calculi extrusion after ureteral endoscopic treatment. Only one case was diagnosed intraoperatively. The evolution after a mean follow-up period of 18 months (range 6-34 months) was satisfactory in all cases. No urinary extravasation, infection, or secondary ureteral strictures were found. According to the absence of side effects, it was considered unnecessary to remove the extruded calculi. Extrusion of noninfected calculi into the periureteral tissues after laser lithotripsy causes no significant consequences and can be successfully managed conservatively. Knowledge of this possible complication is the best way to avoid it. A careful technique and a low irrigant flow will be very helpful.