Comparison of Ureteroscopic Pneumatic Lithotripsy and Ureteroscopic Laser Lithotripsy for Middle-ureteral Calculi

Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy and ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for middle-ureteral calculi.Methods 105 consecutive male patients with middle-ureteral calculi were treated by ureteroscope either with pneumatic lithotripter(45 cases) or with Holmium laser lithotripter(60 cases).Results No major complications were observed in both groups.The average lithotripsy time,the stone-free time and the duration of withdrawl of ureteral stents in the group with Holmium laser were shorter than those with pneumatic lithotripter(P0.05).Conclusion Holmium laser has its advantages over pneumatic lithotripter in treatment of middle-ureteral calculi.