Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for treatment of complicated ureteral calculi

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for treatment of complicated ureteral calculi. Methods Clinical data of 56 cases with complicated ureteral calculi who were treated with ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy was reviewed. Among them 15 cases were proximal ureteral calculi,41 cases were middle and distal ureteral calculi. Treatment by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) failed in 25 cases,8 cases complicated with fever. Results In 41 cases with middle and distal ureteral calculi, successful lithotripsy was achieved after the first treatment session,the success rate was 100.0% (41/41). In 15 cases with proximal ureteral calculi ,successful lithotripsy was achieved in 10 cases after the first treatment session,the success rate was 66.7%(l0/15). Calculi migrated to kidney in 3 cases who treated by ESWL for 1-2 times. The failure was due to ureteral kink in 1 case and due to ureteral perforation that required surgical repair in another case. Forty-nine cases were calculi-free after 4 weeks,the calculi-free rate was 87.5%(49/56). Emergency operation was performed in 8 cases complicated with fever. Successful lithotripsy was achieved after the first treatment session in 7 cases. In one patient,calculi migration occurred. Within all 8 cases obstruction was released and fever was allayed after operation.The complication rate was 1.8% (1/56). Conclusion Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for treatment of complicated ureteral calculi is a safe and effective method. Key words: Ureteral calculi; Ureteroscopes; Pneumatic lithotripsy