组合式输尿管软镜钬激光治疗上尿路结石57例报道

目的 探讨组合式输尿管软镜联合钬激光碎石处理上尿路结石的临床价值.方法 2011年10月~2013年5月,治疗上尿路结石57例.中上组肾盏结石24例,下组肾盏结石14例,肾盂结石12例,输尿管上段结石硬镜碎石术中结石或碎片上移至肾盂7例.其中3例肾上盏结石及2例中盏结石为经皮肾镜术后残余结石.合并脊柱侧弯畸形2例.结石直径9~24 mm,平均16 mm.全麻或硬膜外麻醉,截石位.在斑马导丝引导下置入输尿管导引鞘,组合式输尿管软镜沿鞘上行至肾盂、肾盏寻找结石,使用钬激光碎石.术后常规留置F5双J管4~5周,留置导尿管2~7天.术后2~3天常规复查KUB或B超,了解结石粉碎情况及双J管位置.结果 本组57例中,50例（87.7%）顺利寻及结石并一次碎石成功.碎石成功率,中上组肾盏95.8%（23/24）,下组肾盏64.3%（9/14）,肾盂结石91.7%（11/12）,输尿管上段结石上移100%（7/7）.5例经皮肾镜术后残余结石全部碎石成功.手术时间40~120 min,平均75 min.无输尿管穿孔、撕脱、大出血等并发症.术后高热7例,体温38.5~39.6 ℃,经抗感染治疗3~5天体温恢复正常.术后住院时间3~7 d,平均5 d.术后4周复查KUB或B超并拔除双J管,7例残石碎片3~4 mm,均位于肾下盏,予随诊观察.结论 组合式输尿管软镜治疗上尿路结石,具有微创、疗效确实、并发症少的优点,对于输尿管上段结石上移及经皮肾镜取石术后残余结石的处理可作为很好的补充.     

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy of ureteral calculi: the Stony Brook experience

We have used electrohydraulic lithotripsy for the treatment of ureteral calculi in a total of 29 patients. By combining the use of a 3.0 Fr electrode and a 9.5 Fr rigid ureteroscope, we have been able to successfully treat the majority of our patients with ureteral calculi. Bypass stenting of obstructing ureteral stones aided in access and effectiveness of ureteroscopy and endoscopic lithotripsy. The success rate in our series of 30 primary treatments was 80%; failures were primarily related to stone composition. In summary, we have found electrohydraulic lithotripsy of ureteral calculi to be a safe and effective treatment modality and routinely used it for stones throughout the length of the ureter that were either impacted or too large to extract primarily.     

Rigid ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureteral calculi in children

PURPOSE: We assess the safety and efficacy of rigid ureteroscopy for the treatment of pediatric ureterolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 33 children with an average age of 7.4 years (range 9 months to 15 years) treated with rigid ureteroscopy between May 1995 and July 2003 were reviewed. In 35 ureteral units use of a rigid 6.9 to 10Fr ureteroscope was planned for treating stones at various levels of the ureter. Stones were located in the upper ureter in 6 cases, middle ureter in 3 and lower ureter in 26. Dilatation of the ureteral orifice was necessary in 11 cases. RESULTS: Stone size varied from 3 to 10 mm (mean 5.3). In 33 patients (94%) all stone fragments were removed successfully. Stones were fragmented with pneumatic lithotripsy in 20 cases and removed by forceps without fragmentation in 13. In 1 child an upper ureteral stone migrated up to the kidney during ureteroscopy but following extracorporeal shock lithotripsy therapy she was rendered stone-free. In another child it was not possible to remove the stone. In a 9-month-old female patient with bilateral stones it was not possible to enter the left ureter because of a tight orifice resistant to balloon dilation. At the end of the procedure a 3 or 4Fr ureteral or a 4.8Fr Double-J (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) stent was left in place for 3 days to 3 weeks in 12 cases. There were no cases of ureteral perforation. Of the patients 31 were followed for 1 to 36 months. No incidence of vesicoureteral reflux was detected in 9 who underwent postoperative cystography. CONCLUSIONS: After becoming experienced and meticulously working with finer instruments in adults, rigid ureteroscopy can be a safe and efficient treatment for ureteral stones in every location in children.     

Clinical experience of the newly developed electrohydraulic lithotripter

The electrohydraulic lithotripter (EHL) is a calculus-breaking device used in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). The conventional EHL has a shortcoming in that its breakability decreases in the saline irrigation environment. The newly developed EHL (Lithotron EL-21 OLYMPUS) is designed to discharge optimum sparks during saline irrigation, without having to dilute the solution, thus providing greater convenience. We used the new EHL in 17 cases of renal calculi, 11 cases of ureteral calculi and 2 cases of reno-ureteral calculi, with a breakup efficiency of 96.7%. As a direct, incidental complication, perforation of the ureter occurred in one case of ureteral calculi (uneventful spontaneous recovery detected 3 days afterward). The new EHL has a breakup capability suitable for the PNL: the EHL provides a safe procedure, provided that one takes sufficient caution to the correct positioning of the probe against the target calculus when activating it. Since the probe shaft is flexible, permitting use with the flexible endoscope, the EHL is particularly effective in treating ureteral and renal calculi in cases where access by the rigid US probe is not feasible. One disadvantage of the EHL is that it lacks the fragment-collecting capability that the ultrasound lithotripter features.     

Primary endoscopic treatment of ureteric calculi. A review of 378 cases.

AIM OF THE STUDY: In the post-ESWL period, ureteroscopy represented the solution giving a second choice in the treatment of ureteral calculi in case of failure of extracorporeal lithotripsy. The aim of this study is to review a wide series of ureteral stones in which ureteroscopy combined with endoscopic lithotripsy can be chosen as the first approach for the treatment of ureteral calculi. METHODS: Between January 1994 and September 1997, 378 patients underwent ureteroscopy and endoscopic lithotripsy for ureteral stones with a miniscope associated with either a pneumatic or electropneumatic lithotriptor. Three different miniscopes were used: Olympus (8 Fr), Wolf (7 Fr) and Circon Acmi (7.7 Fr). 238 patients were male and 140 were female. The stones were localized in the upper tract of the ureter in 62 cases (16.4%), 96 (25.3%) in the mid ureter and 220 (58. 3%) in the lower ureter. RESULTS: A complete stone fragmentation with spontaneous expulsion of the fragments occurred in 354 patients (93.6%). In 22 patients (5.8%) the stones were accidentally pushed up and successfully underwent ESWL. In 38 patients (10%) the fragments were completely removed by basket. A single J polyethylene catheter was placed in 21 (5.5%) and a JJ stent in 147 patients (38. 8%). The operative time ranged from 10 to 60 min, with an average time span of 32. In 22 cases (5.8%) an iterative ureteroscopy for stenosis or incomplete fragmentation was needed. Five cases (1.3%) of ureteral perforation were successfully treated by JJ stent, and only 1 case of ureteral avulsion (upper ureter) was treated by open surgery. In the attempt of overcoming an ureteral stenosis, we had 1 case (0.2%) of ureteral reimplantation. One patient (0.2%) underwent ureterolithotomy for an extremely narrow stenosis just before the ureteropelvic junction. No relevant complication was recorded in the postoperative period. Patients were dismissed after 1- 4 days (average 1.9). Up until now, no case of postoperative ureteral stricture has been observed, although we were not able to carry out a specific follow-up in all our patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopy with miniscopes has a high success rate (93.6%) with low morbidity and can be given as a primary approach in the management of ureteral calculi. In the lumbar ureter (especially in women) this technique can represent a good alternative to ESWL in the treatment of obstructing stones (which need stenting) or when the patient asks for a 'one-shot' treatment.     

输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石

目的评价输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术（URSL）治疗输尿管结石的临床疗效。方法使用输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石170例，输尿管上段结石10例，输尿管中段结石42例，输尿管下段结石118例，结石最大直径2．2cm，平均1．0cm，合并患侧肾积水80例，伴肾绞痛77例，平均病史为24周。结果一次性碎石成功率90．5％（154例）；10例输尿管壁残留小结石，术后1个月复查静脉肾盂造影（IVU），残石已排净；2例较大残余结石上移至肾盂行体外冲击波碎石（ESWL），1个月内结石排净；4例改开放手术，2例为结石被息肉严重包裹碎石失败，2例结石远端严重狭窄；均无输尿管穿孔、撕裂、假道、撕脱等并发症；随访9—12个月，肾积水病例积水情况明显改善；伴肾绞痛病例症状消失；未见结石复发病例。结论输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管结石疗效确切、安全。     

输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管上段结石52例报告

目的:探讨输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管上段结石的临床效果.方法:采用输尿管镜下钬激光碎石术治疗输尿管上段结石患者52例,其中双侧输尿管上段结石2例,共计左侧30例侧,右侧24例侧.结石大小(0.4～1.7)cm×(0.6～2.0)cm.结果:手术成功率98.1%,平均手术时间约28 min(17～65 min).1例侧因输尿管口狭窄进镜困难改行开放手术.术后1个月复查,一次性碎石排净率为90.6%,5例侧有结石残留患者保留双J管行ESWL治疗,结石排出.术后3个月复查,所有患者患侧肾积水均明显减轻.结论:在熟练掌握输尿管镜操作技术的前提下,采用输尿管镜钬激光治疗输尿管上段结石是一种安全、有效的方法.     

Management of the impacted ureteral calculus

The management of 42 impacted ureteral calculi is reviewed. Impacted stones were defined by the inability to pass a guide wire or catheter on initial attempts. Stones were impacted in the upper ureter in 10 patients, mid ureter in 11 and lower ureter in 21. Upper ureteral stones were treated in 8 patients by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy after disimpaction by laser or other techniques. Mid ureteral stones were treated by laser alone in 7 patients and by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy after disimpaction in 4. Lower stones were treated by laser in 17 patients and ultrasound in 2. Complications included 3 major and 5 minor perforations, and 4 false passages. Treatment was successful without an open operation in 40 of 42 patients (95%). Our current approach to impacted ureteral calculi involves passing a rigid ureteroscope to the stone, with disimpaction performed by laser fragmentation or other dislodgement maneuvers. Proximal stones or large fragments then are treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Mid ureteral stones are treated similarly, unless they are so fragile that in situ fragmentation may be completed easily. Lower ureteral stones are fragmented in situ, with hard fragments extracted by basket. Alternative treatments for impacted calculi at all levels include unstented in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, antegrade ureteroscopy and, finally, an operation.     

Clinical experience with a new pulsed dye laser for ureteral stone lithotripsy

We treated 45 patients (46 ureteral stones) with a new pulsed dye laser. A 250 mu. fiber was used through a rigid (40 stones) or flexible (6) ureteroscope. Stones were in the upper (5 cases), middle (5) or lower (36) third of the ureter. Stone composition was calcium oxalate dihydrate (34 patients) or monohydrate (7), struvite (2) or uric acid (2). Of the calculi 36 (78%) were fragmented, including 14 that also required simultaneous basket removal of fragments. Ten stones were not fragmented: 6 because of the pure monohydrate composition and 4 due to malfunction of the laser. No damage to the ureteral wall was noted. Retrograde rigid ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy was effective for lower and middle third ureteral stones. Flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy was effective (impacted stones) but difficult for upper third ureteral stones.     

Ureteroscopic management of ureteral calculi in children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rigid ureteroscopy for the treatment ureteral calculi in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and January 2006, 16 boys and 25 girls with an average age of 9.5 years (range 3-15 years) were treated with a 95F rigid ureteroscope for stones 4 to 10 mm (mean 5.6 mm) in 46 renoureteral units (RUUs), and the results were evaluated. The stones were located in the upper ureter in 4 RUUs, the middle ureter in 15, and the lower ureter in 27. Dilatation of a tight ureteral orifice was necessary in 17 cases (36.9%). RESULTS: On examination during ureteroscopy, all calculi were well fragmented, and in 33 patients (94%), stone fragments were removed directly. Stones were fragmented with pneumatic lithotripsy in 23 RUUs and removed by forceps with or without fragmentation in the remaining 23. Whereas the treatment was successful in 36 children (87.8%), it was unsuccessful in 5 (12.2%) secondary to bleeding and mucosal injury in 3 children (7%; 1 middle- and 2 upper-ureteral stones) and severe ureteral stenosis with kinking in 2 (4.8%; 1 middle- and 1 upper-ureteral stone) children. In two other cases, although the fragments in the upper portion of the ureter could be reached with the ureteroscope, the stones migrated into the renal collecting system during pneumatic lithotripsy and were treated successfully with subsequent SWL (4.8%). At the end of the procedure, a 4.8F Double-J stent was left in place in 9 cases. There were no serious complications, and the children were not specifically evaluated for postoperative vesicoureteral reflux. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 36 months with an average duration of 22.4 months. CONCLUSION: With the aid of the experience gained in the adult population and careful instrumentation, we believe that, in skilled hands, rigid ureteroscopy can be applied in a safe and efficient manner for stones located in different portions of the pediatric ureter.     

Microscopic and biochemical fertility characteristics of semen after shockwave lithotripsy of distal ureteral calculi.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the frequency and adversity of the effects of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) on the male reproductive system. We investigated the possible alterations in the quality of semen in patients treated by SWL for pelvic ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The semen of 10 men was examined 1 day before and 5 and 90 days after SWL for distal ureteral stones, in accordance with the World Health Organisation guidelines. The results were compared with those from the semen samples of 10 healthy male volunteers undergoing SWL for calculi of the upper urinary tract. RESULTS: Microscopic analysis of the semen samples revealed a transient decline in sperm density (24.7%), sperm motility (10%), sperm vitality (8%), and seminal fructose (27.5%) after SWL for distal ureteral stones. A distinctly higher number of spermatozoa of pathological origin was detected after SWL in the same group. There was no trace of microscopic hemospermia before shockwave treatment, but it was detected in 90% of the patients with lower ureteral calculi after SWL. Macroscopic hemospermia was detected in two of these nine patients. No deterioration of the semen characteristics and no hemospermia was observed after treatment in the control group with upper urinary stones. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigations confirmed a transient deterioration in semen quality after SWL for distal ureteral calculi, whereas no deterioration was observed after SWL for upper ureteral stones. Impaired sperm quality values returned to normal within 12 weeks after SWL, clearly indicating a damaging effect of SWL on seminal vesicle or ejaculatory duct function. The initial procreative capacity was restored in all patients.     

Extracorporeal piezoelectric shockwave lithotripsy of ureteral stones: are second-generation lithotripters obsolete?

BACKGROUND: The role of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for ureteral calculi is still being debated. We evaluated our results in a large series to clarify the role of this modality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 478 patients with solitary ureteral stones were treated by in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) using a Wolf Piezolith 2300 ultrasound-guided lithotripter. Two hundred fifty stones (52.3%) were located in the upper ureter and 228 (47.7%) in the distal ureter. Seventy of the upper ureteral stones were located in the ureteropelvic junction and 180 in the lumbar ureter. The diameter of the stones ranged from 5 to 30 mm. Four hundred sixty-seven patients were followed up for a mean of 4 months. RESULTS: Four hundred forty patients (94.2%) were stone free after in situ SWL alone. Complete removal of all stone fragments was achieved in 95.4% of the 216 patients with calculi of 5 to 10 mm in diameter, in 94.3% of the 229 with stones of 11 to 20 mm, and in 81.8% of the 22 with calculi of 21 to 30 mm. In situ treatment completely removed 61 of 69 ureteropelvic junction stones (88.4%), 166 of 175 lumbar stones (94.8%), and 213 of 223 distal ureteral stones (95.5%). In situ treatment failed in 27 stones (5.8%). After 4 months, 12 stone fragments and 15 unfragmented stones persisted despite retreatments and required endoscopic procedures. The mean number of sessions and shockwaves per patient was 1.8 and 4884, respectively. Morbidity was low. Renal colic in 57 patients (11.9%) was managed successfully by analgesics. In 36 patients, stone fragments obstructed the ureter; in 28 of these 36 (78%), the obstruction was resolved and the patients were stone free after in situ retreatments alone. All these results were achieved on an outpatient basis without sedation or local or general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Piezoelectric SWL is an effective and noninvasive method for eliminating ureteral stones. Second-generation ultrasound-guided lithotripters are not yet obsolete.     

Experience in transurethral ureterolithotripsy using a rigid ureteroscope

We report our experience of transurethral ureterolithotripsy using a rigid ureteroscope on 18 ureteral calculus patients between November, 1985 and July, 1986. The stones could be successfully removed in 3 of the 10 cases of upper ureteral calculi and in all 8 cases of lower ureteral calculi. In this series, transurethral ureterolithotripsy proved to be valuable for the lower ureteral calculus. However, the device still needs to be improved for upper ureteral calculi.     

Clinical experience of the newly developed ultrasound lithotripter

At present, to perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), the ultrasound lithotripter (US) is most widely used, permitting simultaneous breakup of a calculus and suction of fragments. Recently, we have used the OLYMPUS LUS (oscillation frequency 23 kHz, maximum amplitude 60 microns) in 24 cases of renal calculi (including 6 staghorn and 5 multiple), 4 cases of ureteral calculi and 2 cases of reno-ureteral calculi. Although the degree of breakability varied depending on the substance of the calculi, cystine calculi, generally deemed relatively hard, could also be fragmented. The calculi which were found in the ureter were all situated in the upper portion of the ureter. Direct access by the US probe was possible in 1 case, but in 5 other cases the electrohydraulic lithotripter (EHL) was applied first and larger fragments blasted back into the pelvis were broken up and suctioned with the US. Residual calculi were recognized in 4 cases of 6 staghorn calculi and 2 cases of 5 multiple calculi, all of which were found within calyces and were small enough to allow spontaneous passage. In all the other 24 cases, calculi were destructed and removed with the US. We consider that most renal and ureteral calculi can be broken up and suctioned with the US, virtually regardless of the kind of substance, as long as they are situated in the areas accessible by the US probe. The 60 micron amplitude hardly posed any risk of serious injury to the renal parenchyma, not to mention the pelvic mucosa.     

一种改良超声碎石探针在高硬度上尿路结石行经皮肾镜碎石术中的临床应用

目的:评价一种改良超声碎石探针在高硬度上尿路结石行经皮肾镜碎石术(PCNL)中的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选取2017年12月至2018年10月在本院就诊的68例上尿路结石患者,其中输尿管上段结石9例,肾结石59例,所有结石CT值均>1300 Hu,均行PCNL。根据不同的碎石探针分为两组,其中34例应用北京汇福康超声气...     

Transureteral lithotripsy in pediatric practice

PURPOSE: The present study reviews ureteroscopy intervention for the treatment of ureteral stones in pediatric patients in the last 6 years at three institutions in Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six ureteroscopies were performed in 66 prepubertal patients (mean age 9 years; range 2-15 years) with a male/female ratio of 31/35. Ultrasonography, plain film, or intravenous urography was performed in all cases. The mean stone size was 8 mm (range 5-15 mm). All the interventions were performed under general anesthesia with semirigid ureteroscopes of 8F to 11.5F. The stone was located in the left ureter in 32 patients and in the right in 34 patients. Stones were located in the distal ureter in 59 patients, in the midureter in 5, and in the proximal ureter in 2. Before ureteroscopy, ureteral dilatation with a balloon was done to 12F if necessary. If the calculus could not be removed with the basket (stone.8 mm), lithotripsy using ultrasonic, electrohydraulic (EHL), or pneumatic equipment was performed. RESULTS: Ureteroscopy with an 11.5F, 9F, 8.5F, or 8F ureteroscope were performed in 26, 14, 5, and 21 patients, respectively, and ureteral dilatation was necessary in 23, 0, 0, and 2 cases, respectively. We were unable to introduce the ureteroscope into the ureter in three patients (two boys with an 11.5F ureteroscope and one girl with an 8.5F ureteroscope) with distal ureteral stones. The stones moved to the kidney in four patients. Stone management was with basketing alone in 14, EHL in 3, ultrasonic lithotripsy in 8, and ballistic lithotripsy in 34 patients. The stone-free rate was 88% (58 patients) at 48 hours postprocedure. The complication rate was 23% and included renal colic (1), gross hematuria (11), and pyelonephritis (3). No patient had obvious perforation or stricture of the ureter at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our series demonstrates the high success rate that can be achieved with ureteroscopic removal of ureteral calculi in children. Ureteroscopic treatment, especially with a small-caliber ureteroscope, should be considered the first choice for treatment of calculi in the distal ureter in children.     

纤维胆道镜在上尿路结石手术中的应用

目的:探讨纤维胆道镜在上尿路结石手术中的应用价值。方法:为31例复杂上尿路结石(多发肾结石、输尿管多发结石、输尿管结石并肾结石)患者施行手术,5例输尿管切开取石术中结石移位时应用纤维胆道镜协助取石。结果:35例取石成功,1例多发肾结石患者有2颗结石残留于肾盏内,术后2个月体外冲击波碎石术(extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy,ESWL)治疗后排出,2例输尿管粘膜和1例肾盂粘膜损伤出血。结论:纤维胆道镜用于上尿路结石手术,尤其是复杂性上尿路结石手术,有助于取尽结石,对患者损伤小,是一种安全有效的方法,值得临床推广应用。     

钬激光碎石术治疗泌尿系结石(附1 216例报告)

目的探讨钬激光碎石术治疗泌尿系结石的疗效及其安全性。方法应用输尿管肾镜和膀胱镜联合钬激光碎石术治疗1216例泌尿系结石，其中输尿管结石1006例（上段302例，中段364例，下段340例），膀胱结石210例。结果l例输尿管上段结石因前列腺增生症致置镜困难改体外冲击波碎石（extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy,ESWL）治疗。l006例输尿管结石单次碎石成功率95．5％（961／1006）），其中上、中、下段结石单次碎石成功率分别为89．4％（270／302）、96．4％（351／364）和100％（340／340），术中发生6例输尿管穿孔。膀胱结石单次碎石成功率为100％（210／210），无出血和膀胱穿孔发生。881例输尿管结石术后随访0．5—40个月，平均18．6月，输尿管上、中、下段结石排净率分别为91．1％（224／246）、98.5％（318／323）、100％（312／312），总结石排净率为96．9％（854／881）；6例发生输尿管狭窄。187例膀胱结石术后随访0.5～31个月，平均12．4月，结石排净率98．4％（184／187）。结论钬激光碎石术治疗泌尿系结石疗高效、微创、安全，是输尿管结石和膀胱结石首选治疗方法。     

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。     

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and ureteroscopic lithotripsy for ureteral stones. A comparative study

From June 1987 to December 1988, 212 cases of ureteral calculi were treated with ESWL and ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) respectively. The lithotriptic success rates of ESWL for upper, mid and distal ureteric stones were 100.0%, 100.0% and 93.4% respectively as compared with 62.5%, 85.7% and 93.7% of URSL. ESWL for upper and mid ureteral stones was obviously superior to URSL (P less than 0.001). The incidence rate of complications of ESWL was lower than that of URSL (P less than 0.05). In the 212 cases, urinary extravasation caused by ureteral injury occurred in 4 cases treated by URSL. We suggest that ESWL should be the first treatment of choice for ureteral calculi and URSL is not recommended for the treatment of upper ureteral calculi, but it may be used as an adjunctive method.