Treatment of ureteral calculi with Holmium laser lithotripsy:report of 106 cases

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Holmium laser lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral calculi. Method We reviewed the data of 106 patients (64 males and 42 females, with an average age of 46.3 years) who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy using Ho: YAG laser.Among these patients, 38 cases with stone on the left, 59 on the right, 9 on both sides of the ureter; 41 had stones in the upper, 31 in the middle, and 34 in the lower ureter. The stones was 0.6 to 1.5cm, average 0.9cm. Results The overall success rate of fragmentation in for all levels of ureteral stones in a single procedure was 93.4%(99/106),for the upper was 90.2%(37/41), the middle and lower was 93.5%(29/31) and 97.1%(33/34)respectively. The average operative time was 28 min, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.1 days. No major complications such as perforation were encountered. Conclusion Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy is effective, mini-invasive and safe. It is indicated as the first choice in the treatment of ureteral calculi, especially which can not be fragment by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.