Clinical observation of ureteroscopic holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy for patients with ureteral stones

Objective:To study clinical efficacy of ureteroscopic holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy for patients with ureteral stones.Methods:90 ureteral stone patients were divided into study group and control group according to the different lithotripsy schemes.The study group received ureteroscopic holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy(LL),while the control group received extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL).The operation time and the stone clearance rate 3 months after the treatment of the two groups were compared.Results:For the stones 1.0 cm and ≤1.0 cm,the operation time of study group was shorter than that of control group(P 0.05).For the stones 1.0 cm,the stone clearance rates 3 months after the treatment of study group and control group were91.67% and 68.00%,respectively,and the difference was significant(P 0.05).For the stones in middle and lower ureter,the stone clearance rates 3 months after the treatment of study group and control group were 92.59% and 72.00%,respectively,and the difference was significant(P 0.05).Conclusions:For the stones in the upper ureter and with a diameter of ≤ 1.0 cm,ESWL is superior to LL;however,for the stones in middle and lower ureter and with a diameter of 1.0 cm,LL is more suitable.