Ureteroscopy pneumatic lithotripsy with assistance of prostate resectoscope sheath in the treatment of bladder calculi

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of a novel method with assistance of prostate resectoscope sheath during ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of bladder calculi, in order to explore the surgery techniques. Methods Clinical date of 98 bladder calculi patients who underwent ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy were reviewed. Among them, 52 cases underwent ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy with assistance of prostate resectoscope sheath(Sheath assistant group) and 46 cases performed ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy directly(traditional lithotripsy group). 18F three-cavity catheter was put in both groups. Operation time, stone clearance rate and surgery complications were compared between two groups. Results All operations were successful with no case transferred to open surgery. Operation time in sheath-assisted group and traditional lithotripsy group were 44.4 ±5.1 min VS53.2±6.2 min(t=-7.71, P0.01). Two cases in traditional lithotripsy suffered from badder perforation. All patients in two groups received 3 months to 1 year follow-up. B-ultrasound showed no residual stones.Postoperative Urethral stricture occurred in one case in traditional group. Conclusions Intraoperative assistance of prostate resectoscope sheath may maintain a clear operation field and reducing urethral injury,which combine some gravel techniques can favor stone removal, resulting in less time of stone clearance during ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy. It has important clinical value in the treatment of bladder calculi.