Transureteroscopic and holmium: YAG laser lithotrpsy for treatment of ureteral calculi

[Objective] To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Transureteroscopic lithotripsy with holmium. [Methods] 214 cases ureteral calculi treated with Transuteteroscopic laser lithotripsy from Feb. 2000 to Dec. 2003 were studied retrospectively. There were 134 male patients and 80 female with an average age of 35, 47 being upper ureteral stone, 63 middle and 104 lower ureteral stone. The stones were 0.5 to 2.6 cm (mean 1.2 cm) in diameter. [Results] The overall rate of successful fragmentation for all levels of utrteral stones in a single procedure achievevd 95% (203/214), The success rates of fragmentation in single procedure for the upper and mid-lower legels of ureteral stones were 87% (41/47) and 98% (164/167). The mean operative time was 30 min. No complications such as perforation occurred during the operation. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.5 days. In 197 patients, the postoperatve follow-up of 1 month to 3 months revealed that the stone-free rate was 98%. No ureteral stenosis occurred. [Conlusions] Treatment of ureteral calculi by transureteroscopic laser lithotripsy has geen safe and effective. It can be considered as the first choice of treatment.