Objectives: To assess the efficacy and complications of ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) using semirigid ureteroscopes.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 1,082 consecutive patients with ureteral stones who were treated with URS with or without auxiliary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for stone fragments. The efficacy was estimated using the stone-free rate and efficiency quotient (EQ).
Results: The stone-free rates were 79.0, 90.4 and 93.2% for upper, middle and lower ureteral stones, respectively. The EQ was 0.49 for upper, 0.79 for middle and 0.87 for lower ureteral stones. Ureteral perforation occurred in 54 cases (5.0%), of which 13 cases (1.2%) required nephrostomy (n = 11, 1.0%) or open surgery (n = 2, 0.2%).
Conclusions: URS is a reasonable procedure with minor complications for stones located in the lower and middle ureter, but cannot be recommended as a first-line treatment for upper ureteral stones.
Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel