Comparison of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy for ureteral calculus

Objective To investigate the efficacy and side effects of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy(URSL) and extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy(ESWL) in the treatment of ureteral calculus.Methods During August 2003 and July 2005,240 cases of ureteral calculus were divided into two groups randomly and treated respectively with URSL or ESWL.The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by plain abdominal film after lithotripsy.All cases were followed up for 1 to 3 months.Results The total efficacy rate of the URSL group and ESWL group was 88.3% and 77.5% respectively(P0.05).The efficacy rate for upper ureteral calculus treated with URSL was poor than that of ESWL(76.3% versus 94.9%,P0.05),but the efficacy rate of URSL for middle and lower ureteral calculus was much higher than that of ESWL(93.9% versus 69.1%,P0.05).The side effects such as kidney colic,nausea,vomiting,and fever in URSL group were lower than those in ESWL group(P0.05).The complication of URSL was 1.7% ureteral perforation.Conclusion URSL is superior to ESWL in the management of ureteral calculus.URSL is suitable for treatment of middle and lower ureteral calculus,and ESWL however,upper ureteral calculus.