Upper and mid‐ureteric stones: a prospective unrandomized comparison of retroperitoneoscopic and open ureterolithotomy

Abstract

RPUL is comparable with open surgery for operative duration and blood loss, but the laparoscopic procedure has significant advantages over open surgery for analgesia, hospital stay, recuperation and cosmesis. RPUL is a viable alternative for large upper and mid-ureteric calculi and in those patients where a previous attempt at endourological management has failed. However, the technique requires significant training and experience before good results can be obtained.