Comparison of holmium laser and pneumatic lithotripsy treatment for middle and lower ureteral calculi combined with polyps

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of holmium:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in treatment for middle and lower ureteral calculi combined with polyps.Method:From January 2006to December 2012,totally 178patients with ureteral calculi combined with polyps underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy with holmium:YAG laser or pneumatic lithotripsy.The data of the patients were analyzed retrospectively.Result:Both groups were successfully completed surgery with no case conversion to open surgery.Single-procedure success rate of lithotripsy was 100% in the patients who were received holmium laser,and 100% in those who underwent pneumatic lithoclast.Single-procedure success of stone-free rate was 97.8%(88/90)in the holmium laser group, which was no significant difference(P0.05)with that in the pneumatic lithoclast group 95.5%(84/88).One(1/88)patient encountered perforation in PL procedure,whereas eight(8/90)patients were observed perforation when underwent HL.There was a significant difference(P0.05).Ten(10/90)cases were seen ureteral stricture in holmium laser and two(2/88)cases were detected ureteral stricture in pneumatic lithotripsy,which was a significant difference(P0.05).Conclusion:Both holmium laser and pneumatic lithotripsy are safe and effective in treatment for middle and lower ureteral calculi combined with polyps.However,pneumatic lithotripsy is superior to holmium laser.