Transureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral calculi

Objective To investigate the effects of transureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral calculi.Methods 168 cases(117 men,51 women,age range 19~65 years,mean age 41 years)of ureteral calculi were treated with ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy.Of them,14 patients had calculi in the proximal part of the ureter,61 in the middle part,93 in the distal part.The size of the stones ranged from 0.6 cm to 2.4 cm in diameter.Results 168 cases of ureteral stones were treated by ureteroscopic lithotripsy,of which 94.6%(159/168)were fragmented on the first treatment session and 5.4%(9/168)were unsuccessful.The proximal ureteral calculi were moved to renal pelvic and cured by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL)after the double-J ureteral stunt was placed in 5 cases.Open surgery was the choice after the ureteral perforation in 1 cases and the failure of inserting the ureteroscope in 3 cases.Conclusion Treatment of ureteral calculi by transureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy has been less invasive,safe and effective,and should be the first choice to the patients with middle and low ureteral stones.