Percutaneous endoscopic ureterolithotomy is not a well-known method for the treatment of impacted ureteral stones. The authors performed a retrospective study to compare the effectiveness of this procedure to ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureteral calculi. Impacted ureteral stones were removed in 93 patients by percutaneous endoscopic ureterolithotomy (Group 1). In 142 patients, ureteroscopy was performed for the treatment of the ureteral stones (Group 2). The same instruments were used to carry out percutaneous endoscopic ureterolithotomy as were used for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. During these interventions, a direct percutaneous puncture and extraction of the stones was performed. The average diameter of the stones was 11 +/- 4 mm in Group 1 and 7 +/- 2 mm in Group 2. The average operating time was 32 +/- 11 minutes in Group 1 and 41 +/- 29 minutes in Group 2. The average duration of hospitalization following the operations was 7.2 +/- 3.1 days in Group 1 and 3.5 +/- 2.5 days in Group 2. In Group 1, the average time of the operations was significantly lower (p 0.006), and the duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly higher (p < 0.001), compared to Group 2. In Group 1, retroperitoneal hematoma occurred in 1 patient and prolonged urine leakage was detected in 2 cases, whereas in Group 2, pyelonephritis occurred in 5 patients following the operation. In conclusion, the operating time of percutaneous endoscopic ureterolithotomy is shorter and the rate of complications comparable with that of ureteroscopy. Percutaneous endoscopic ureterolithotomy is suggested for the removal of impacted ureteral stones instead of open surgical ureterolithotomy.