Comparison of holmium laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in managing ureteral calculi by ureteroscope

Objective To compare the clinical effect of ureteroscopic holmium laser and ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for the treatment of ureteral calculi. Methods Clinical data of 459 patients with ureteral calculi who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy was analyzed retrospectively from January 2009 to Februay 2011, induded 267 cases (312 sides)of holmium laser lithotripsy and 192 cases (220sides)of pneumatic lithotripsy. Results Two hundred and sixty cases (305 sides) were successful in the holmium laser group, the success rate was 97.76%. 177 cases(205 sides) were successful in the pneumatic lithotripsy group, the success rate was 93.18%. After 4 to 6 weeks of follow-up, the stone drain rates of the 2 groups were 98.69% and 94.15%. The success rates and stone drain rates were significantly different for the ureteroscopic holmium laser and ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy treatment. Conclusions Ureteroscopic holmium laser and ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy are both good for ureteral calculi treatment. However, holmium laser has greater advantages than pneumatic lithotripsy in success rates and stone drain rates , especially when dealing with inflammatory or ureterostenoma.