Clinical comparative analysis of ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral calculi

Objective To evaluate the effect of ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral calculi. Methods A total of 107 patients with ureteral calculi from May 2015 to May 2016 were enrolled in this study, and divided into observation group and reference group according to the assessment of need and voluntary principle. Fifty-five patients in observation group underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, while fifty-two patients in reference group underwent ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. The results of the two methods were compared. Results The operation time of the observation group was longer than that of the reference group, but the time of postoperative removing urinary calculus was shorter than that of the reference group (P<0.05). The emptying rate of patients whose stone diameter <1 cm in observation group was higher than that in reference group (92.00% vs. 65.3%), the emptying rate of patients whose stone diameter≥1 cm in observation group was lower than that in reference group (60.00% vs. 86.21%), with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral calculi have their own advantages and shortcomings. They should be carried out according to the size of stones. Key words: Ureteral calculi; Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy; Ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy; Surgery; Curative effect