Transurethral uretero-lithotripsy of ureteral stones in Osaka City University

During the 39 months since the introduction of transurethral lithotripsy (TUL) for the treatment of ureteral stones at our hospital in August 1985, TUL was performed a total of 200 times in 178 patients with ureteral stones. Among them, 111 patients had left ureteral stones and 65 had right ureteral stones, while 2 patients had ureteral stones in both sides. The stones were divided into upper ureteral stone (84 patients) and lower ureteral stone (94 patients) at above and below the iliac brim. 89% of the stones were less than 2 cm in diameter. Most of the patients were given lumbar anesthesia, and a guide wire was inserted into the ureter. The ureter was dilated with a ureteral bougie, and a 13F or 14F Storz ureteroscope was inserted. The stones were disintegrated by an ultrasound lithotripto and removed using forceps and a basket catheter. After the TUL procedure, a double J catheter was indwelled and removed within 5 days. The results were evaluated by DIP which was done 2 to 3 months after TUL. The success rate included residual stones less than 4 mm in diameter, as they could be spontaneously discharged. As a result, the success rate for upper ureteral stones was 53%, and it was higher for smaller stones. On the other hand, the success rate for lower ureteral stones was 85% and significantly higher. The main reasons for failure were the upper migration of the stones (60%) and inability to insert the ureteroscope up to the stone due to ureterostenosis and ureteral perforation (39%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ureteroscopy in management of ureteral calculi

Transurethral ureteroscopy (TUURS) for the management of ureteral stones was performed in 102 patients. Primary ureteroscopy was performed in 57 patients while in 20 cases the procedure was used for stone manipulation prior to ESWL and in 18 cases after ESWL treatment. In 7 cases, insertion of the instrument was impossible. The overall success rate was 89 per cent (85/95). Success rate in the lower ureter was 93 per cent, in the middle ureter 84 per cent, and in the upper ureter 80 per cent. There were four complications (4%) and open operation was required in 3 patients only (3%). The up-to-date ureteroscopic results suggest that ureteroscopy should be the procedure of choice in the treatment of lower ureteral calculi and a valuable alternative in the treatment of upper ureteral calculi.     

输尿管镜下阻挡网篮配合双频激光碎石术与ESWL治疗非复杂性输尿管上段结石疗效比较

目的：对体外震波碎石（ESWL）及输尿管镜下阻挡网篮配合双频激光碎石（URL）治疗非复杂性输尿管上段结石进行比较。探讨两种术式的疗效．方法：收治121例非复杂性输尿管上段结石病例。随机分两组．其中63例行ESWL-58例行URL,ESWL组采用多尼尔Cigma双定位体外冲击波碎石机,URL组采用Storz硬性输尿管镜,配用自制阻挡网篮,连接W．O．MU—100双频激光机后进行碎石,术后留置双J管。结果：两组在一次碎石成功率（ESWL93．7％、URI．93．1％）、术后1个月结石清除率（ESWI,90．4％．URI,93．1％）差异无统计学意义（P〈0．05）,治疗时间（ESWI．33．5±6．4、URL15．0±2．3）及术后1周结石清除率（ESWL69．8％、URL93．1％）URL组要优于ESWL组．差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。ESWI．组出现l例包膜下血肿。URL组出现1例输尿管穿孔．结论：对非复杂性输尿管上段结石的治疗,我们要根据患者具体情况及要求,科学地制定个体化治疗方案,以减少并发症。     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of proximal and distal ureteral stones

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was used for treatment of 105 patients with ureteral stones. There were 77 stones in the upper part of the ureter, i.e. above the pelvic brim, and 28 in the lower part, i.e. below the sacroiliac joint. Successful fragmentation was attained in 101 (96%). In 93% of the patients with stones in the upper ureter and in 100% with stones in the lower ureter the fragments were eliminated completely. In 87% of the patients with stones in the upper ureter, a ureteral catheter was introduced under local anesthesia but without fluoroscopic control. It was thereby possible to remove 30% of the stones from the ureter to the kidney. For the remaining stones, saline was infused through the catheter during ESWL. For patients with stones in the lower part of the ureter, a ureteral catheter was passed in 79% and saline infused during treatment. Whereas some form of anesthesia was used for treatment of all upper ureteral stones, 89% of the treatments for lower ureteral stones were performed without anesthesia. Auxiliary procedures after ESWL were limited to four ureteral catheter manipulations for distal stones. Four proximal stones which remained unaffected by ESWL had to be treated by open surgery (3 stones) or percutaneous surgery (1 stone). Of 82 ureteric stones treated in situ the success fragmentation rate was 95%. The average number of ESWL sessions was 1.04 for both proximal and distal ureteral stones.     

Clinical results of transurethral ureterolithotripsy using pulsed-dye laser: primary ureteral stones versus secondary ureteral stones after ESWL

Between September 1993 and December 1996, 138 patients underwent transurethral ureterolithotripsy (TUL) either as primary treatment or as a second-line therapy after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. In all patients, a semirigid 6.0 F ureteroscope was used. Lithotripsy was performed using a pulsed-dye laser. The overall success rate was 82.6%. The success rates according to the location of stones were as follows, 76.9% for stones in the upper ureter (U1), 96.0% for those in the midureter (U2), and 86.2% for those in the distal ureter (U3). In 68 patients treated with TUL as primary therapy, the success rate was 88.2% and efficiency quotient, which was modified for TUL was 0.75. Complications were rare: no ureteral perforations and no major bleeding occurred, but urosepsis developed in 2 patients. In conclusion, transurethral ureterolithotripsy using a small caliber ureteroscope with pulsed-dye laser is recommended as the primary treatment for mid- and distal ureteral stones, because of its superior success rate. In addition, for upper ureteral stones, laser tripsy is recommended as a helpful auxiliary procedure.     

The effectivity and morbidity of URS as auxiliary therapy after ESWL

We were interested in the effectivity and morbidity of URS as an auxiliary treatment in patients who underwent ESWL for ureteral (n = 71) and kidney stones (n = 31). Between 1991 and 1995, 102 URS were performed for treatment of ureteral fragments. 28 (27.5%) were located in the proximal, 24 (23.5%) in the middle and 50 (49%) in the distal ureter. In 25 cases, fragments were found as "Steinstrasse". In the same period of time, 2554 patients with ureteral stones were treated with ESWL alone, therefore the overall rate of URS was low (4%). URS alone had a stonefree success rate of 58.9%. The success rate depended on the location of the ureteral stone: proximal 25%, middle 50% and distal 82%. URS combined with ESWL showed an overall success rate of 97.9%. Finally, only 2 patients (2.1%) required an open surgery. 29.3% of the stones were treated by extraction only. The extraction of stone was the most frequent procedure to remove the fragments after ESWL. The rate of complications were 6.9%. None of the patients suffered from late complications like stricture of the ureter. The URS for the treatment of stone fragments after ESWL has been shown to be an effective and safe procedure with a low rate of complications.     

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for stones in lower ureter.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been accepted as the method of choice for most upper urinary tract calculi. However, in cases of stones in the lower ureter, ureteroscopic procedures have generally been preferred. Using the Dornier HM3 lithotriptor with modifications in the patient's position, we were able to successfully treat 155 unselected cases of lower ureteral calculi. The average stone size was 9.6 mm (range 5-23 mm). One hundred forty-three patients had stones located below the lower margin of the sacroiliac joint. These patients were placed in a supine position. The stones were visualized radiologically without use of a ureteral catheter in 78 percent of the patients; in 22 percent a ureteral catheter was inserted prior to ESWL to aid in stone localization. In 145 patients (94%) treatment was completed in one session; 10 patients (6%) required two sessions. Of the patients, 38 percent were free of stones one day after ESWL; 97 percent became stone free within three months, and only 3 patients required endoscopic manipulation, after ESWL. Twelve patients had stones in the midureter overlying the sacroileum. They were placed in the prone position, and the calculi were visualized with the aid of a ureteral catheter. All these patients became free of stones one month after treatment. There were no significant treatment-related complications except for bacteremia in 1 case. In view of the remarkable efficacy, negligible complication rate, and shorter hospital stay as compared to ureteroscopic stone manipulations, we recommend high energy ESWL as the primary monotherapy of mid and lower ureteral stones.     

New classification of ureter by success rate for transurethro-ureteral lithotripsy

Between August, 1985 and February, 1987, 4 renal pelvic stones and 49 ureteral stones (28 calculi in the abdominal ureter, 21 in the pelvic ureter) were treated by 55 procedures of transurethro-ureteral lithotripsy (TUL). The success rate for stones in the ureter lying in the paravertebral gutter was 33% (3/9), while those in the ureter overlying the psoas muscle was 85% (17/20). The success rate for calculi impacted at the uretero-vesicle junction was 100% (12/12), and those in the upper part of pelvic ureter was 80% (8/10). Two of 4 renal pelvic stones were successfully fragmented and removed. The overall success rate by the ureterorenoscope was 79% in 53 renoureteral units. Judging from our experience and results of TUL, the stone location seems to be one of the factors affecting the success rate. Thus, we propose a new classification of ureter according to success rate for TUL as follows; uretero-vesical junction, pelvic, psoas, and gutter portion.     

Utility of ureteral stent for stone street after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

We reviewed the records of the 530 patients with urinary stones (renal stones: 243; ureter stones 287) who received extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) (MFL5000; Dornier), from January 1995 to July 2002, retrospectively and determined whether the ureteral stent affected the incidence rate of stone street (SS). We also assessed the effect of ureteral stent on the subsequent management for SS. Forty patients (7.5%) developed SS. Twenty patients were inserted a ureteral stent prior to ESWL (stent group), and 20 patients were performed ESWL without a ureteral stent (in situ group). In the stent group, the most common (80.0%) location for SS was in the upper third ureter, while in the in situ group, SS mostly developed in the distal third ureter (60.0%). The incidence of SS did not differ significantly between the two groups when the size of renal and ureter stones was below 30 and 20 mm, respectively. When the renal stones were larger than above 30 mm, the incidence of SS in the stent group was significantly higher than that in the in situ group. SS disappeared spontaneously with stone passage in 10 of the patients in in situ group, but in only 1 patient in the stent group. In the stent group, 15 patients were treated for SS by removal of ureteral stent regardless of stone diameter. We conclude that ESWL should be performed without a ureteral stent when the stone diameter is below 20 mm. When the ureteral stent is thought to interfere with the delivery of stone fragments, the decision to remove it should be made as soon as possible.     

Clinical experience of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for cystine calculi

Thirty patients (16 men and 14 women) with cystine urinary stones were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (Dormer HM-3) from December 1984 through October 1989. The average patient age was 35.2 years with a range of 14 to 59 years. Seventy per cent of these subjects had had previous open surgical operations for stones. The cases consisted of 7 ureteral stones and 37 renal stones, including 15 staghorn calculi. An average of 1.3 session of ESWL was carried out to treat ureteral stones. Thirty-seven renal units with renal stone required 96 sessions of lithotripsy (average 2.6 sessions per unit). Seven patients with ureteral stones required auxiliary procedures, i.e., one transurethral lithotripsy (TUL), two percutaneous nephrostomies (PNS) and one open surgery. Thirty-seven renal stones, including staghorn calculi was treated by ESWL and auxiliary treatment of 21 TUL procedures, one PNS, 16 PNL procedures and one chemical chemolysis. Successful fragmentation (residual debris less than or equal to 4 mm) was achieved in 85.7% of ureteral stones, 90.9% of renal stones and 73.3% of staghorn calculi. The stone free rates of patients with ureteral stones, renal stones and staghorn calculi were 71.4%, 50.0% and 53.5%, respectively, at 3 months after ESWL. No serious complications were seen in this series. Fever above 38.5 degrees C was the most common complications (13.5%). Ureteral perforation was encountered once in TUL procedures. Transfusion and selective arterial embolization were needed for one case treated by PNL procedures. Although cystine stone is harder to be fragmented by ESWL than other stone composition, ESWL and endourology may be effective and safe procedures for cystine stone patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effectivity and morbidity of URS as auxiliary therapy after ESWL I. Teil: Sicherheit und Effektivit?t der URS als auxili?re Behandlung nach ESWL

We were interested in the effectivity and morbidity of URS as an auxiliary treatment in patients who underwent ESWL for ureteral (n = 71) and kidney stones (n = 31). Between 1991 and 1995, 102 URS were performed for treatment of ureteral fragments. 28 (27.5 %) were located in the proximal, 24 (23.5 %) in the middle and 50 (49 %) in the distal ureter. In 25 cases, fragmentes were found as “Steinstrasse”. In the same period of time, 2554 patients with ureteral stones were treated with ESWL alone, therefore the overall rate of URS was low (4 %). URS alone had a stonefree success rate of 58.9 %. The success rate depended on the location of the ureteral stone: proximal 25 %, middle 50 % and distal 82 %. URS combined with ESWL showed an overall success rate of 97.9 %. Finally, only 2 patients (2,1 %) required an open surgery. 29.3 % of the stones were treated by extraction only. The extraction of stone was the most frequent procedure to remove the fragments after ESWL. The rate of complications were 6.9 %. None of the patients suffered from late complications like stricture of the ureter. The URS for the treatment of stone fragments after ESWL has been shown to be an effective and safe procedure with a low rate of complications.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones and cystine stones]

We report our experience with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of ureteral and cystine stones, which are known to be difficult to treat by this method. First, in order to determine the effectiveness of the ureteral catheter in the destruction of ureteral stones, we compared the clinical results of 121 patients treated without the catheter and 141 patients inserted with the catheter. There was no significant difference in the success rate between the two groups regardless of stone size, which indicates that the use of the ureteral catheter had no effect on the outcome of treatment. We then studied the clinical results of impacted ureteral stones which are especially difficult to destroy. Excretory urography was performed to non-invasively diagnose these stones, and those without visualization in the ureter below the stone were diagnosed as impacted stones and treated by ESWL without the ureteral catheter. Among the stones with a diameter of 1 to 2 cm, the success rate was significantly lower in impacted stones compared to non-impacted stone. These findings suggest that ESWL treatment without the ureteral catheter may be effective for ureteral stones with a diameter of less than 1 cm and non-impacted stones with a diameter of 1 to 2 cm, while combination therapy with other methods such as TUL may be better for other stones. We also performed ESWL on 6 patients with renal stones and 2 patients with ureteral stones which were cystine stones. Renal stones required an average 4.1 treatment with an average of 1,875 shocks per treatment, and ureteral stones required 1.5 treatment with an average of 1,833 shocks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with EDAP LT-01 lithotriptor

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) by EDAP LT-01 was used to treat 77 patients with upper urinary tract stones. A total of 218 sessions were performed for 111 stones in 52 kidney units and 41 stones in 37 upper ureter units, and 77% of the 52 kidney stone units and 62% of the 37 ureter units were completely disintegrated. The success of fragmentation of kidney stones differed with the size of the stone, 96% of the stones less than 21 mm and 63% of the 8 stones between 21 and 30 mm were successfully fragmented. The success of fragmentation of ureteral stones differed auxiliary manipulation. Eighty-one percent of the 21 ureteral stones moved into the kidney, were successfully disintegrated, but 40% of the 20 stones unmoved could be disintegrated with retrograde manipulation. Of the 62 successful units, 89% became stone free within 3 months. Complications were subcapsular renal hematoma in 3 patients and obstruction in 5 patients. The initial 25 patients were treated under epidural anesthesia and 52 patients were treated without anesthesia. The results show that the indication of ESWL with LT-01 is better for the stones smaller than 30 mm and the indication should be determined after a couple of sessions for stones greater than 30 mm. ESWL with LT-01 can be performed on an out-patient basis without anesthesia in many cases.     

Outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones according to ESWL intensity

BackgroundWe evaluated the treatment outcomes of ureteral stones according to energy intensity generated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 150 patients who underwent ESWL for treatment of ureteral stones between September 2018 and February 2020. All stones were confirmed by a computed tomography examination, and the size, location, skin-to-stone distance, and Hounsfield units (HU) of the stones were assessed. In addition, patient characteristics including body mass index and estimated glomerular filtration rate, which can affect treatment outcome, were also evaluated. The success or failure of ESWL was confirmed according to the session, and the factors affecting the treatment outcome were analyzed using a logistic regression model.ResultsOf the 150 patients, 82 (54.7%) had stones in the proximal ureter, 5 (3.3%) in the mid, and 63 (42.0%) in the distal ureter. Patients underwent ESWL an average of 1.5 times, and the success rate according to session was 65.3% for the first, 83.3% for the second, and 90.0% for the third session. A multivariate analysis revealed that stone size [odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.66–0.99, P=0.049] and HU (OR 0.99, 95% CI, 0.98–0.99, P=0.001) were significant factors affecting the success rate after the first ESWL session; ESWL intensity was not related to success rate. Stone size (OR 0.78, 95% CI, 0.62–0.96, P=0.022) was the only significant factor affecting the success rate in the third session.ConclusionsStone size and HU affected the ESWL success rate. ESWL intensity was not significantly related to the success rate, so it should be adjusted according to patient pain and the degree of stone fragmentation.     

Improvement of stone comminution by slow delivery rate of shock waves in extracorporeal lithotripsy

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of delivery rate of shockwaves (SW) on stone comminution and treatment outcomes in patients with renal and ureteral stones. METHODS: Patients with radio-opaque stones in the upper urinary tract that were treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were divided into two groups according to delivery rate (120 or 60 SW/min). The effective fragmentation after one ESWL session and treatment success at 3 months after ESWL was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 134 patients (84 men and 50 women), 68 patients were treated at a fast rate and 66 were treated at a slow rate. Thirty and 38 patients in the fast rate group and 28 and 38 in the slow rate group had renal and ureteral stones, respectively. After one ESWL session, effective fragmentation was noted more often in the slow group (65.2%) than the fast group (47.1%) (P = 0.035), particularly for smaller stones (stone area <100 mm(2)) (P = 0.005) and renal stones (p = 0.005). However, there was no significant difference in treatment success at 3 months after ESWL between the two groups. In univariate logistic regression analysis, slow SW rate and smaller stones were significant factors for effective fragmentation after one ESWL session. In multivariate analysis, slow SW rate and smaller stones were also independent factors. CONCLUSIONS: Slow SW rate contributed to better stone comminution than fast rate, particularly for small stones and renal stones. ESWL treatment at a slow SW rate is recommended to obtain efficient stone fragmentation.     

Anesthesia-free in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of ureteral stones

Stones in the proximal, mid and distal ureter in 375 consecutive patients were treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in a technically unmodified Dornier HM3 lithotriptor without regional or general anesthesia. Adequate followup was available in 162 patients with proximal, 62 with mid and 146 with distal ureteral stones. The fraction of patients with stone-free ureters within 3 months after ESWL was 96, 97 and 97%, respectively. Of all patients only 13 (3.6%) had residual stones or fragments in the ureter after 3 months. The average number of ESWL sessions was 1.34 for all patients, and 1.36, 1.45 and 1.38 for those with proximal, mid and distal ureteral stones, respectively. A ureteral catheter with saline irrigation was used whenever it was possible to insert a ureteral catheter. Only 15 stones were pushed up to the kidney during catheterization and all other stones were treated in situ. There were more retreatments in patients in whom the stone had not been bypassed by a catheter at the initial ESWL session. During at least 1 treatment session 238 patients had a ureteral catheter with the tip above the stone. Approximately half of all patients were treated after only premedication with pethidine and diazepam, and cutaneous half of all patients were treated after only premedication with pethidine and diazepam, and cutaneous anesthesia with an anesthetic cream containing lidocaine-prilocaine (for proximal and mid ureteral stones). Small supplements of pethidine and diazepam were given to the other patients during the ESWL session. In situ ESWL of ureteral stones as described is a convenient, efficient and attractive procedure that, applied in a consequent manner, theoretically might result in a successful outcome in up to 98% of the patients.     

经尿道输尿管镜联合体外震波碎石治疗输尿管结石256报告

目的探讨输尿管镜联合体外震波碎石（extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy，ESWL）治疗输尿管结石的价值。方法2005年10月-2007年6月采用输尿管镜联合ESWL治疗输尿管结石256例，中段（56例）及下段（170例）结石用输尿管镜取石，上段（30例）结石用ESWL碎石，输尿管镜取石失败或结石残留联合ESWL治疗。结果输尿管下段结石一期结石清除率98．2％（167／170），中段结石一期结石清除率89．2％（50／56），上段结石一期结石清除率73．3％（22／30）。输尿管穿孔3例，输尿管黏膜撕脱1例，结石远端输尿管扭曲进镜致使尿管穿孔改切开取石1例，输尿管镜取石失败或结石残留联合ESWL治疗二期结石清除率91．7％（11／12）。结论输尿管镜治疗输尿管下段及中段结石成功率高，输尿管镜取石失败或结石残留联合ESWL可提高二期结石清除率。     

ESWL治疗复杂上尿路结石的体会

目的探讨ESWL治疗复杂上尿路结石的效果。方法总结自1993年以来行ESWL治疗的所有上尿路结石,对其中较大的肾、输尿管结石、肾鹿角形结石及多发性结石的碎石效果进行分析。结合文献对石街的防治和双“J”管的应用进行讨论。结果ESWL治疗上尿路结石总有效率96．4％。治愈率92．1％。较大肾结石有效率93．9％,治愈率84．8％,石街形成率63．6％。鹿角形结石治愈率40％。较大输尿管结石有效率96．6％,治愈率91．5％,石街形成率23．7％。单侧多发结石治愈率95．7％。双侧多发结石治愈率100％。结论ESEL治疗较大的上尿路结石及多发性结石均有很好的效果。对鹿角形结石应与其它治疗方法联合应用。应及时发现并治疗碎石后形成的石街,双“J”管的应用并非必要。     

Efficacy of expulsive therapy using nifedipine or tamsulosin,both associated with ketoprofene,after shock wave lithotripsy of ureteral stones

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is currently considered one of the main treatments for ureteral stones. Some studies have reported the effectiveness of pharmacologic therapies (calcium antagonists or alpha-blockers) in facilitating ureteral stone expulsion after ESWL. We prospectively evaluated the efficacy, after ESWL, of nifedipine on upper-middle ureteral stones, and tamsulosin on lower ureteral stones, both associated to ketoprofene as anti-edema agent. From January 2003 to March 2005 we prospectively evaluated 113 patients affected by radiopaque or radiolucent ureteral stones. Average stone size was 10.16 ± 2.00 mm (range 6–14 mm). Thirty-seven stones were located in the upper ureter, 27 in the middle ureter, and 49 in the lower ureter. All patients received a single session of ESWL (mean number of shock waves: 3,500) by means of a Dornier Lithotripter S (mean energy power for each treatment: 84%). Both ultrasound and X-ray were used for stone scanning. After treatment, 63 of 113 patients were submitted to medical therapy to aid stone expulsion: nifedipine 30 mg/day for 14 days administered to 35 patients with upper-middle ureteral stones (group A1) and tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day for 14 days administered to 28 patients with stones located in the distal ureter (group A2). The remaining 50 patients were used as a control group (29 upper–middle ureteral stones—B1—and 21 lower ureteral stones—B2—), receiving only pain-relieving therapy. No significant difference in stone size between the groups defined was observed. Stone clearance was assessed 1 and 2 months after ESWL by means of KUB, ultrasound scan and/or excretory urography. A stone-free condition was defined as complete stone clearance or the presence of residual fragments smaller than 3 mm in diameter. The stone-free rates in the expulsive medical therapy group were 85.7 and 82.1% for the nifedipine (A1) and tamsulosin (A2) groups respectively; stone-free rates in the control groups were 51.7 and 57.1% (B1 and B2, respectively). Five patients (14.3%) in group A1, 5 (17.8%) in group A2, 14 (48.3%) in group B1 and 9 (42.8%) in group B2 were not stone-free after a single ESWL session and required ESWL re-treatment or an endoscopic treatment. Medical therapy following ESWL to facilitate ureteral stone expulsion results in increased 1- and 2-month stone-free rates and in a lower percentage of those needing re-treatment. The efficacy of nifedipine for the upper-mid ureteral tract associated with ketoprofene makes expulsive medical therapy suitable for improving overall outcomes of ESWL treatment for ureteral stones.     

Comparison of transurethral ureteroscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for treatment of ureteral calculi

Ureteral calculi were treated by transurethral uretereoscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and the results were compared. Rigid transurethral ureteroscopy was performed in 50 patients, and 10 of 22 stones located in the upper ureter and 25 of 29 stones located in the lower ureter were successfully extracted. On the other hand, we treated 88 patients with upper ureteral stones by ESWL and achieved a success rate of 89.8%. We therefore conclude that for upper ureteral stones, ESWL is the more effective treatment and, for lower ureteral stones, transurethral ureteroscopy.