URETEROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF URETERAL CALCULI

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: This study compared electrohydraulic and holmium:YAG lithotripsy for ureteral calculi.Materials and Methods: Two cohorts of consecutive patients with ureteral calculi treated with ureteroscopic electrohydraulic or holmium:YAG lithotripsy were retrospectively compared. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy was done using a 1.9F fiber at energy settings between 50 and 100 v. Holmium:YAG lithotripsy was done using a 365 micro m. fiber at energy settings of 0.6 to 1.5 J.Results: A total of 23 and 47 consecutive patients underwent electrohydraulic and holmium: YAG lithotripsy, respectively. For preoperative calculi less than 15 mm. mean stone size plus or minus standard deviation was 9 +/− 3 versus 9 +/− 3 mm. (p = 0.5), mean operative time was 72 +/− 21 versus 102 +/− 38 minutes (p = 0.004), stone-free rate at the end of ureteroscopy was 65 versus 97 (p <0.01) and 3-month stone-free rate was 94 versus 97% (p = 0.4) for electrohydraulic versus holmium:YAG lithotripsy. For preoperative calculi 15 mm. or...