Treatment of urinary calculi with ureteroscopy and Swiss lithoclast pneumatic lithotripter: report of 150 cases

PURPOSE: To present our clinic experience with the Swiss Lithoclast pneumatic lithotripter in the endoscopic management of urinary calculi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August 1994 to December 1997, 145 patients with ureteral calculi and 5 patients with urethral calculi were treated with the Swiss Lithoclast. RESULTS: In the ureteral stone group, ureteroscopic addressing of the stones was successful in 133 patients. In 27 patients, the stones were partially fragmented and remained in situ or were pushed back to the calices. They were subsequently treated successfully with SWL. Stones were fragmented in a single session in 101 cases. Complications associated with the procedure included five perforations and four urinary tract infections. All of the five urethral stone patients were treated successfully with pneumatic lithotripsy. The overall successful fragmentation rate thus was 70.7% (106 of 150) and 88.7% (133 of 150) in combination with adjuvant SWL. CONCLUSIONS: We have found Swiss Lithoclast pneumatic lithotripsy to be a safe, effective, and economical treatment method for urinary calculi. If combined with other modalities such as SWL, this treatment will be even more effective.     

Transurethral ureterolithotripsy using a rigid ureteroscope

Eighty patients with ureteral stones underwent transurethral ureterolithotripsy using a rigid ureteroscope. In 68 of the patients (85%), the stones were removed successfully. Most of the 12 failures were removed by a percutaneous approach. The main complications of transurethral ureterolithotripsy were high fever (35%), ureteral injury (10%) and ureteral stricture (1.6%). Ureteroscopic procedures are thought to be useful in stone removal and diagnostic evaluation of abnormality of upper urinary tract.     

Cauterization of access tract for nephrostomy tube-free percutaneous nephrolithotomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is now a popular method for removal of renal and ureteral stones. Placement of a nephrostomy tube after the completion of PCNL has been considered a standard procedure by most urologists, but some authors have recently challenged this practice. Bleeding is one of the most prevalent problems after nephrostomy tube-free percutaneous renal surgery. To diminish the possibility of postoperative bleeding, we cauterized the PCNL tract to make it bloodless. The efficacy and safety of this procedure were reviewed in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2001 to March 2003, 51 patients underwent PCNL with a one-stage procedure and a single access tract. The stone size ranged from 1.0 to 7.0 cm (mean 2.7 +/- 1.4 cm). A holmium:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripter were used. After stone extraction, a 6F double-J catheter was inserted antegrade. The access tract was checked, and the bleeding points were cauterized. No nephrostomy tube was inserted, but a Penrose drain was left overnight. Perforation of the collecting system was not a contraindication to tubeless PCNL. RESULTS: The stone-free rate was 80.4%, including five patients with complete staghorn stones. Twenty-one patients required postoperative analgesics. Only one patient had urine leakage for longer than 24 hours. Transient low fever was noted in five patients, but no patient experienced severe urinary tract infection. Delayed hemorrhage (1 week after the operation) secondary to irritation by the double-J ureteral stent was noted in one patient. The average postoperative hospital stay was 2.2 days (range 1-3 days). No patient required a blood transfusion. No urinoma was noted on the postoperative ultrasound follow-up. CONCLUSION: Nephrostomy tube-free percutaneous renal surgery is a safe and effective procedure for selected patients with minimal hemorrhage after PCNL. Cauterization of tract bleeding points may make this modification a more secure procedure and make it suitable for more patients.     

输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术(附43例报告)

目的　研究输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石的方法及并发症的防治。　方法　回顾分析输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石 43例的临床资料。　结果　一次性碎石成功率 93 0 % (4 0 / 43 ) ,7d内结石排净率 93 0 % (4 0 / 43 )。未发生并发症。　结论　输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石方法较安全 ,疗效确切     

Comparison of pneumatic and Holmium laser ureteroscopic lithotripsy for upper third ureteral stones

ObjectiveTo evaluate the outcomes of ureteroscopic lithotripsy with pneumatic lithotripter and Holium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Ho:YAG) laser in the management of upper third ureteral stones.Materials and methodsPatients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy with pneumatic lithotripter or Ho:YAG laser for upper third ureteral stones were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with urinary tract infection, radiolucent stones, loss of follow-up, concurrent middle or lower third ureteral stones or acute renal failure were excluded. Patient age, stone size and burden (based on KUB or computerized tomography), stone upward migration, double J stent insertion rate, stone free rate and secondary intervention rate for residual stones were compared in both groups.ResultsThere were 158 patients with 178 upper third ureteral stones (135 in pneumatic lithotripsy group and 43 in Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy group) meeting the study criteria. Patients' age, gender, stone laterality, stone size and burden were similar in both groups. The Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy group had better stone free rate, less double J stent insertion rate and less secondary intervention rate as compared with pneumatic lithotripsy (53.4% vs. 40.1%; 72.1% vs. 91.9%; 25% vs. 48.5% respectively, all p < 0.05). In patients with stones larger than 10 mm, Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy had significantly lower upward migration rate, lower double J stent insertion rate, higher stone free rate and less secondary intervention rate.ConclusionsHo:YAG laser lithotripsy is superior to pneumatic lithotripsy in the management of upper third ureteral stones in terms of double J stent insertion rate, stone free rate and secondary intervention rate for stones of all sizes. For stones larger than 10 mm, laser lithotripsy results in less stone upward migration.     

输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术(附160例报告)

目的 分析输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石的方法及并发症的防治。方法 总结采用输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石160例的临床资料。结果 一次性碎石成功率93．0％（11／149）,7d内结石排净率95．0％（142/149)。并发症发生率3．8％（6／160）,其中输尿管穿孔4例,泌尿系感染2例。结论 输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石方法较安全、疗效确切。     

经皮肾镜超声碎石术治疗上尿路结石

目的回顾性分析经皮肾镜超声碎石术治疗上尿路结石的疗效及安全性。方法对120例上尿路结石患者在超声定位引导下行经皮肾镜超声碎石术。俯卧位经皮肾通道建立成功后,采用EMS三代气压弹道联合超声碎石系统,单用超声或气压弹道碎石,若结石较硬则两者联合碎石。结果120例手术均获成功。手术时间45～170min,平均85min,单通道118例,双通道2例,一期完成碎石113例,二期手术7例。术中无严重并发症发生。12例术后严重肾出血,9例经保守治疗成功,1例行选择性肾动脉栓塞成功,2例严重出血行病肾切除。结论经皮肾镜超声碎石术治疗肾结石具有高效、微创的优点。     

Impacted upper-ureteral calculi >1 cm: blind access and totally tubeless percutaneous antegrade removal or retrograde approach?

PURPOSE: To compare blind access and totally tubeless percutaneous antegrade removal and pneumatic transurethral ureterolithotripsy for the management of impacted upper-ureteral calculi >1 cm. Patients and METHODS: Seventy patients (41 male, 29 female) with impacted upper-ureteral calculi >1 cm were selected in randomized order for pneumatic transurethral ureterolithotripsy (35 patients) or blind access and totally tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) (35 patients). Ultrasonography and intravenous urography were performed for all patients before surgery. After operation, plain films and ultrasonography were done. RESULTS: In the PCNL group, blind access was achieved from the lumbar notch area in all 35 patients, but in 3 patients, the exposure was not optimal for approaching the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). So we injected contrast material into the collecting system, and, under fluoroscopic control, another access was achieved. In 33 patients (94.3%), intact removal of the stones was performed. In the other two patients, we fragmented the stones with the Swiss Lithoclast by an antegrade approach. The success rate thus was 100%. The mean operative time was 38 minutes (range 25-48 minutes). In the transurethral lithotripsy group, 12 stones (34.2%) migrated upward to the pelvis of kidney, and 5 stones (14.2%) fragmented incompletely. In these cases, a double- J stent was inserted, and SWL was performed. In follow-up, plain films and ultrasonography showed complete clearance in these patients. Eighteen calculi (51.4%) fragmented completely with the Lithoclast. The mean operative time in this group was 34 minutes (range 20-58 minutes). CONCLUSION: In the presence of moderate to severe hydronephrosis, blind access and totally tubeless PCNL is an effective option for large, impacted upper-ureteral calculi. Flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy is expensive and not readily available. Pneumatic transurethral ureterolithotripsy has a back-pressure effect and pushes back the calculi to the kidney. Thus, this procedure does not have satisfactory results in the management of these calculi.     

Treatment of large impacted proximal ureteral stones: randomized comparison of percutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy versus retrograde ureterolithotripsy

PURPOSE: We compared the safety and efficacy of percutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy with retrograde ureterolithotripsy for large impacted proximal ureter stones in a prospective randomized manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 91 patients with large impacted proximal ureteral stones, defined as stones >1 cm in size located between the ureteropelvic junction and the lower border of the fourth lumbar vertebra, were prospectively randomized for antegrade (44) or retrograde (47) ureterolithotripsy. Failure of the procedure (conversion to an open procedure), intraoperative and postoperative morbidity, operative time, hospital stay, stone clearance at discharge home, and follow-up were analyzed in each group. RESULTS: The main complications were bleeding (2.3%; 1 of 43) for the antegrade procedure and ureteral injury (2.3%; 1 of 44) for the retrograde procedure. Percutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy was associated with longer operative times (75.4+/-11.8 v 30.6+/-7.8 minutes; P<0.001), longer hospital stay (6.3+/-0.5 v 2.1+/-0.4 days; P<0.001), and a longer interval to return to normal activities (7.8+/-0.7 v 2.7+/-0.6 days; P<0.001). Nevertheless, the percutaneous antegrade procedure had a higher stone-free rate both at discharge home (95.3% v 79.5%; P=0.027), and 1 month post-procedure (100% v 86.4%; P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy is a valuable treatment modality for impacted proximal ureteral calculi larger than 1 cm, and achieves higher stone-free rates than those of retrograde ureteroscopy with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy. The drawbacks of the antegrade procedure are longer operative time and hospital stay.     

Ureteral catheterization in uncomplicated ureterolithotripsy: a randomized, controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short-term ureteral catheterization in patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy for ureteral calculi. METHODS: Patients (n = 140) with ureteral calculi who were candidates for ureterolithotripsy were enrolled. Stone size was 5-10mm. The operation was performed with an 8-9.8F semirigid ureteroscope without active dilatation and stones were fragmented with a 1F pneumatic lithotrite. Uncomplicated cases (109 patients) were randomized to catheterized (C) and noncatheterized (NC) groups. In the 54 C group patients, a polyurethane catheter (5F) was passed through the ureter after lithotripsy with the end attached to a Foley placed in urethra, which was removed after 24h. Postoperatively, all patients were evaluated for flank and suprapubic pain, renal colic, irritative urinary symptoms, peritonism, frequency of analgesic usage, urinary tract infection, duration of hospitalization, postdischarge visits (due to renal colic/pain), readmission, and residual stone rates. RESULTS: On the first postoperative day, the percentage of patients experiencing flank pain and renal colic was significantly higher in the NC group (76% and 45%) compared with the C group (20% and 2%); 67% of NC patients required analgesic administration during hospital stay versus 20% of C patients (p<0.001). Suprapubic pain and urethral irritation were reported by 13% and 37% of C patients, respectively, and 5% and 4% of NC patients. However, peritonism was developed more often in NC patients (27% vs. 13%). Hospital stay was 1 d for all patients. Three days postoperatively, 40% of NC patients complained of at least one episode of flank pain compared with 7% of C patients (p<0.001). Incidence of urinary tract infections was 4% in NC and 7% in C group patients. Postdischarge visits were necessary in 20% of NC patients and 5% of C patients. No patient in either group required readmission. No complaints were reported nor residual stones discovered on 2-wk follow-up radiographs in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term ureteral catheterization in uncomplicated ureteroscopy and lithotripsy has a role in reducing early postoperative morbidities. It may also decrease pain and colic after discharge.     

输尿管口切开术在腔内治疗输尿管膀胱壁段结石的应用

目的:探讨输尿管口切开术在输尿管膀胱壁段(输尿管壁段)结石腔内治疗中的应用价值.方法:选取输尿管壁段结石患者25例,经尿道途径置入针形电极剖开输尿管壁段黏膜,暴露结石;然后行输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石,术后留置双J导管,6个月后复查B超和尿常规.结果:21例患者成功取出结石,3例输尿管穿孔,1例输尿管离断,行开放手术治疗.术后4周拔除双J导管,6个月后复查B超与尿常规未见患侧积水和尿路感染.结论:输尿管口切开术是提高输尿管壁段结石腔内治疗成功率的有效手段.     

Ureteroscopic treatment of multiple distal-ureteral stones

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy for solitary distal-ureteral stones may be considered a first-line therapy. However, few reports that mention ureteroscopic procedures for multiple ureteral stones were found in the literature. Retrospectively, we reviewed our patients who were treated by ureteroscopy for multiple distal-ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients underwent ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for unilateral multiple distal-ureteral stones. Ten patients had two stones, four patients had three stones, and another patient had five stones. The average stone number per ureteral unit was 2.44, and the average stone size was 9.7 mm (range 3-23 mm). RESULTS: Eighty percent of the patients (12/15) who had unilateral stones were stone free after the first session of ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy. Two patients underwent a second ureteroscopy procedure for the remaining stone or failure of ureteral access. Overall, 93.3% of the patients (14/15) were stone free. Ureteral perforation as a major complication occurred in one patient (6.6%), who was treated by open surgery. We did not routinely use Double-J ureteral stents after ureteroscopy. Only one patient required stenting because of failure of ureteral access. Steinstrasse was observed in three patients, but it resolved spontaneously in the early postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy has a high success rate with few complications for the treatment of unilateral multiple distal-ureteral stones. Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy seems very effective for such stones.     

输尿管镜下NTrap拦截网配合超声弹道碎石治疗输尿管上段结石

目的探讨输尿管镜下NTrap拦截网配合超声弹道碎石治疗输尿管上段结石的临床疗效。方法采用输尿管镜下NTrap拦截网配合第三代超声弹道碎石系统治疗输尿管上段结石20例。结石横径为5～13mm，纵径为6～20mm。其中9例先采用钬激光将结石适当打碎后再采用三代超声碎石。结果所有结石都被拦截网固定后碎石，一次性碎石成功率95％（19／20），1例术后结合体外冲击波碎石（ESWL）治愈；平均手术时间46min；估计术中平均失血量为10mL。术中无1例输尿管穿孔和明显的出血。结论拦截网将结石适当固定是碎石成功的关键，与第三代超声弹道碎石清石系统联合应用具有结石清除率高、创伤小、并发症少等特点，是值得临床推荐的一种治疗方法。     

Flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy: first-line therapy for proximal ureteral and renal calculi in the morbidly obese and superobese patient

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The surgical treatment of kidney and proximal ureteral stones in morbidly obese patients (>14 kg/m2) remains difficult because shockwave lithotripsy is precluded by weight limitations and percutaneous nephrolithotomy is associated with difficult access and a high (9%) rate of transfusion. We review our experience with retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy in morbidly obese patients with renal and proximal ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 1992 and April 2000, five women and three men with a mean age of 46.5 years (range 33-68 years) and a mean body mass index of 54 (range 45-65.2) underwent 10 independent ureteroscopic procedures for urolithiasis. The average stone size was 11.1 mm (range 5-25 mm). Lithotripsy was performed with the holmium laser in eight patients (60%) the electrohydraulic lithotripter in four (30%), and the tunable-dye laser in the remaining patient. Stone-free status was defined as no stones visible on a plain film with nephrotomograms or CT scan at 3 months. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 101 minutes (range 45-160 minutes), and 60% of the procedures were done on an outpatient basis. After the initial procedure, the stone-free rate was 70%. Two patients had fragments <4 mm, and no further therapy was undertaken. There was one complication: transient renal insufficiency (serum creatinine concentration 3.7 mg/dL) secondary to aminoglycoside toxicity. No transfusions were needed. CONCLUSION: In the morbidly obese patient with symptomatic stones <1.5 cm, ureteroscopic lithotripsy is safe, successful, and efficient.     

ESWL与输尿管镜碎石联合处理上尿路结石

目的：探讨对部分上尿路结石采用ESWI．与输尿管镜碎石联合处理的方法。方法：对70例上尿路结石患者采用ESWI。与输尿管镜下钬激光碎石（URS）联合交替治疗。其中输尿管结石48例,。肾结石22例。结果：结石总排净率为91．4％00（64／70）,其中输尿管结石排净率为95．8％（46／48）,肾结石排净率为81．8％（18／22）。3例治疗失败,其中1例输尿管结石因输尿管狭窄无法入镜;另2例肾结石,1例因交替治疗次数过多中途停止治疗,1例因结石硬度过大ESWI,不佳,均改为PCNL术。结论：ESW[。与URS联合交替进行的疗法处理上尿路结石,避免了创伤性治疗,扩大了ESWI,治疗范围,降低了URS手术难度,缩短了URS操作时间,提高了结石排净率,患者创伤微小、恢复快、并发症少,是治疗上尿路结石,特别是部分复杂性上尿路结石较理想的方法之一。     

Long-term follow-up results of TUL (transurethral ureterolithotripsy)

We experienced 112 cases of urolithiasis treated with transurethral ureterolithotripsy (TUL) between December, 1985 and September, 1988. We analyzed 35 patients treated with TUL and who had come to our hospital to be examined by cystography, renal ultrasonography, plain X-ray, and urinalysis more than 3 months later. The follow-up term ranged from 3 to 30 months after TUL. The patients were treated using a 12Fr Stortz rigid lithotripter or flexible uretero-fiberscope with electrohydraulic lithotripter. Urinalysis, kidney-ureter-bladder X-ray (KUB), ultra-sonography and cystogram were the main disciplines for follow-up. Urinalysis revealed 4 cases of hematuria, 3 cases of hematopyuria and 2 cases of pyuria. KUB showed no newly formed stones, but 2 cases of ureteral stones had moved from the kidneys. Renal ultrasonography demonstrated no hydronephrosis of operated side, except for 1 case of mild hydronephrosis, who had had severe hydronephrosis preoperatively. We searched for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in 34 of the long-term follow-up patients after TUL, but no VUR was seen on their cystograms. No significant late complications of TUL were observed. No harmful effects of ureteral dilation during transureteral operation were found even in long-term follow-up patients.     

Transurethral ureterolithotripsy under hydraulic ureteral dilatation

Transurethral ureterolithotripsy was performed in 32 patients with ureteral stones. A rigid ureteroscope was used and for the purpose of ureteral dilatation a hydraulic ureteral dilator (Ureteromat) was used. In total 39 stones were treated and of these 30 stones (77%) were successfully extracted or disintegrated. The success rate according to the location of the stone was as follows; 50% for the upper ureteral stone, 55% for middle ureteral stone and 96% for lower ureteral stone. As a complication of the procedure a lower ureteral stricture was noted in one patient. Hydraulic ureteral dilatation is a useful method of ureteral dilatation in transurethral ureterolithotripsy.     

腔内技术治疗合并息肉的输尿管结石(附35例报告)

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗并发息肉的输尿管结石的疗效。方法 应用电灼棒、输尿管镜气压弹道碎石治疗35例合并息肉的输尿管结石。结果 全部息肉烧灼成功，碎石成功率88．6％(31／35)，2例上段结石进入肾盂，置双J管后行EswL后成功。结论 应用电灼棒先处理息肉后行输尿管镜气压弹道碎石是治疗合并息肉的输尿管结石的一种安全、有效的方法。     

Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy: is the location of the stone important in decision making? Analysis of 1296 patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) in the treatment of ureteral stones in different locations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 2001 to October 2006, a total of 1296 patients underwent PL for treatment of ureteral stones. Of these patients, 471 (36.4%) were women and 825 (63.6%) were men, with a mean age of 37.3 years (range 19-71 years). In 203 (15.6%) of these patients, treatment was performed secondarily after stone disease was refractory to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripty. All patients were evaluated by plain radiographs for the presence of stones on the first day and the sixth week postoperatively. Follow-up studies included ultrasonography and/or excretory urography. RESULTS: The overall stone-free rate was 96.2%. According to the location of the stones, the success rate of pneumatic lithotripsy for upper, middle, and lower ureteral stones was 90.5%, 93.1%, and 98.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). For patients with calculi < or =10 mm and >10 mm in size, the stone-free rate after ureteroscopic lithotripsy was 97.6% (896 of 918) and 91.2% (351 of 378), respectively (P < 0.05). The most common complications were postoperative fever (5.3%), small mucosal lesions without leakage (3.6%), and stone migration (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy is a safe and effective treatment with minimal morbidity in the treatment of ureteral stones in all locations.     

输尿管结石ESWL治疗失败后输尿管镜下治疗

目的探讨输尿管结石体外冲击波碎石(extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy,ESWL)治疗失败后输尿管镜下治疗的效果. 方法 23例输尿管结石ESWL治疗失败后,在输尿管镜下通过气压弹道碎石机配合自制输尿管镜针状电刀分别进行碎石、取石、息肉切除术. 结果 2例结石已被粉碎,但被息肉组织紧紧包裹,钳夹息肉将结石取出;16例结石部分粉碎,气压弹道碎石、取石;4例结石完好,与输尿管壁及息肉粘连,用自制输尿管镜针状电刀切除息肉,将结石粉碎取出;1例结石部分嵌入到输尿管黏膜下,致使结石难以排出,用自制输尿管镜针状电刀切开结石表面黏膜后,粉碎结石取出.手术时间30～55 min,平均42 min.术后6个月复查未见结石残留. 结论输尿管结石ESWL治疗失败的病人可以通过输尿管镜气压弹道碎石配合自制输尿管镜针状电刀切开达到治疗目的.