α1受体阻滞剂与输尿管下段内镜碎石术后无管化

目的：探讨输尿管镜碎石取石术处理不复杂性输尿管下段结石后不留置支架管与尿管的初步经验。方法：回顾性分析从2007年1月-2010年7月对42例不复杂性输尿管下段结石患者行输尿管镜碎石取石术的资料,患者被分为二组：A组22例（放置双J管）;B组20例（不放置支架管与尿管）,服用受体阻滞剂1周。结果：A组手术时间显著长于B组;术后患者血尿的发生率和持续时间、患者肋腹区疼痛、尿频／尿急两组之间有显著性差异;术后1个月输尿管无石率两组均为100％。结论：输尿管镜碎石取石术治疗不复杂性输尿管下段结石后,服用受体阻滞剂,不必常规留置支架管与尿管,创伤轻,痛苦少,恢复快。     

α1受体阻滞剂与输尿管下段内镜碎石术后无管化的探讨

目的：总结输尿管镜碎石取石术处理不复杂性输尿管下段结石后不留置支架管与尿管的初步临床经验。方法：回顾性分析从2007年1月-2010年7月对行输尿管镜碎石取石术的42例不复杂性输尿管下段结石患者临床资料：患者被分为两组,A组22例,术后放置双J管;B组20例,术后不放置支架管与尿管,服用α1受体阻滞剂1周。结果：A组手术时间显著长于B组;术后患者血尿的发生率和持续时间、患者肋腹区疼痛、尿频／尿急,两组之间差异有显著统计学意义（P）;术后1个月输尿管无石率,两组均为100％。结论：采用输尿管镜碎石取石术治疗不复杂性输尿管下段结石后可服用αt受体阻滞剂,不必常规留置支架管与尿管,此法创伤轻,痛苦少,恢复快。     

三种微创碎石术治疗复杂性输尿管上段结石的临床对比研究

目的:探讨经皮肾镜、经尿道输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术及经尿道输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗复杂性输尿管上段结石的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选取150例复杂性输尿管上段结石患者,随机分为A组、B组及C组,每组50例,分别行经皮肾镜、经尿道输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术及经尿道输尿管镜钬激光碎石术。对比3组患者手术时间、术后血红蛋白减少值、住院时间、一次性结石清除率、二次手术率、手术前后患侧肾脏肾小球滤过率水平、术后并发症发生率等。结果:A组手术时间显著短于B、C组(P0.05);B、C组患者术后血红蛋白减少值、住院时间均显著优于A组(P0.05);3组患者一次性结石清除率、二次手术率及术后患侧肾脏肾小球滤过率水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05);C组患者术后并发症发生率显著低于A、B组(P0.05)。结论:相较经皮肾镜、经尿道输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术,经尿道输尿管镜钬激光碎石术治疗复杂性输尿管上段结石可有效减少术中创伤、加快术后康复进程,并有助于降低术后并发症发生风险。     

经输尿管镜钬激光碎石术后留置双J管的临床研究

目的 探讨经输尿管镜钬激光治疗输尿管结石术后留置双J管的适应证及其必要性.方法 按病例纳入标准将270例输尿管结石患者随机分成A和B两组,经输尿管镜钬激光碎石术后,A组(135例)不留置双J管,B组(135例)放置双J管4周,比较两组之间的手术时间,术后腰腹部疼痛评分(VAS)、血尿、 尿路感染、膀胱刺激症状及远期输尿管狭窄发生率.结果 A组手术时间较B 组缩短(P<0.05),术后1、3d A组患者腰痛VAS评分与B组比较差异无统计学意义,而术后第7、14天 A组患者腰痛 VAS评分及血尿发生率均明显低于B 组(P<0.01).术后A组患者膀胱刺激症状明显低于B 组(P<0.01),两组尿路感染率差异无统计学意义.术后3个月两组均未出现输尿管狭窄并发症.结论 对于不复杂的输尿管结石,特别是单纯输尿管中下段结石常规放置双J管是不必要的.     

对无管化输尿管镜碎石取石术的探讨

目的 探讨输尿管镜碎石取石术处理简单输尿管下段结石后不留置双J管与尿管的初步经验.方法 回顾性分析从2009年1月至2012年10月对64例简单输尿管下段结石患者行输尿管镜碎石取石术的临床资料,患者被分为两组:对照组32例(放置双J管);观察组32例(不放置双J管与尿管).结果 放置双J管组手术时间显著长于无管化组;无管化组术后患者腰痛、血尿、膀胱刺激征的发生率低于放置双J管组,两组之间有显著性差异(P＜0.05);术后1个月输尿管无石率无统计学差异(P＞0.05).结论 输尿管镜碎石取石术治疗简单输尿管下段结石,可不必常规留置双J管与尿管,创伤轻,痛苦少,恢复快.     

组合式输尿管软镜联合钬激光碎石术治疗上尿路结石143例

目的探讨组合式输尿管软镜下钬激光碎石术治疗上尿路结石的安全性和疗效。方法 2013年6月~2015年10月我们对143例6~35 mm肾结石及输尿管上段结石施行输尿管软镜钬激光碎石术,术前不留置或留置输尿管支架1周,术中先输尿管硬镜探查输尿管,然后放置输尿管鞘并用组合式输尿管软镜钬激光碎石。如果输尿管鞘无法置入,可直接在导丝引导下置入输尿管软镜至结石位置;如果软镜仍不能直接置入,留置F6输尿管支架1~2周后,二期输尿管软镜碎石。术后4周复查腹部平片或泌尿系彩超评估效果。结果 47例术前未留置输尿管支架管,进鞘成功率68.1%(32/47);96例术前留置输尿管支架管1~2周,进鞘成功率97.9%(94/96),2组比较有明显统计学差异(χ~2=26.806,P=0.000)。手术时间45~180 min,平均110 min。进镜后结石寻及率93.0%(133/143)。钬激光碎石术后4周后排石成功率90.2%(120/133)。除18例术后发热外并无严重并发症。结论组合式输尿管软镜联合钬激光治疗上尿路结石安全、疗效满意,可作为输尿管上段结石及肾结石的理想治疗方案。术前留置输尿管支架能有效提高进鞘成功率。     

输尿管下段结石气压弹道碎石术术后留置内外支架管的对比研究

目的探讨留置输尿管外支架的输尿管下段结石气压弹道碎石术的安全性和有效性。方法前瞻性收集2013年1月至2015年2月我院86例简单输尿管下段结石行输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术患者的资料。采用随机数字表法分为观察组42例(留置外支架管),对照组44例(放置双J管2周),将手术时间、术后不适症状、术后残石率和并发症作为评价的指标。结果两组的手术时间及术后残石率比较无统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组在膀胱刺激症状、血尿和腰痛发生率均明显少于对照组,且持续时间明显缩短,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在严格选择患者的前提下,留置输尿管外支架的输尿管下段结石气压弹道碎石术是安全和有效的。     

输尿管软镜日间手术输尿管支架留置时间研究

目的日间手术行输尿管软镜碎石后输尿管支架留置时间为1周的可行性研究。方法选择2017年1月至2018年5月于本院进行的日间手术输尿管镜检+软镜钬激光碎石术患者188例,将患者随机纳入输尿管支架管留置时间的周组与月组,术中使用奥林巴斯输尿管纤维软镜,钬激光将结石充分粉碎,套石篮取出碎石粒,留置输尿管支架管引流,根据分组时间拔除。结果188例手术患者都于24 h内出院,周组与月组患者年龄、结石最大直径、手术时间、手术出血量比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),术后均无严重感染等并发症发生,术后1个月,复查排石效果,两组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),周组相关并发症少于月组(P<0.05)。结论通过优化措施的日间手术行输尿管软镜碎石术后输尿管支架留置时间为1周,留置尾线,安全可行,是一种值得推荐的经验。     

软镜钬激光治疗上尿路结石的技巧及疗效分析

目的研究输尿管软镜钬激光治疗上尿路结石的操作技巧及疗效分析。 方法选择2014年7月至2015年9月收治的46例输尿管软镜钬激光碎石病例。结石直径10～25 mm。术前常规放置输尿管支架1周,术中输尿管硬镜探查患侧输尿管,导入软镜输送鞘,Olympus F7.5输尿管软镜碎石。若推送鞘无法插入,可直接插入输尿管软镜。术后1 d泌尿系统X线平片(KUB) 检查,了解碎石及输尿管支架情况;术后28 d复查KUB或双肾CT平扫,评估碎石效果。 结果术前常规放置双J管1周后输尿管硬镜探查,可降低输尿管严重损伤的风险,有利于放置较大的软镜输送鞘。低能量、高频率的激光碎石,可将结石粉末化,增加排石率。软镜总进镜成功率95.6% (44/46 ),钬激光碎石成功率95.4%(42/44 ),2例患者无法进镜改经皮肾镜碎石。4周后结石清除率为90.5% (38/42)。3例残余结石经体外碎石后治愈。总的结石清除率为93.2%(41/44)。手术时间60～155 min,平均76 min。无一例发生严重并发症。 结论输尿管软镜钬激光碎石是治疗直径10～25 mm肾和输尿管上段结石的安全有效的方法,也可以作为体外冲击波碎石失败和经皮肾镜碎石术后残留结石的治疗选择。     

三种微创术式治疗复杂性输尿管上段结石的疗效分析

目的 探讨输尿管软镜钬激光碎石(FURS)、微创经皮肾取石术(MPCNL)及腹腔镜输尿管切开取石(LU)三组微创术治疗复杂性输尿管上段结石的疗效.方法 回顾性分析本院2010年1月至2014年1月收治复杂性输尿管上段结石患者285例,根据所行术式,分为三组,FURS组58例,MPCNL组109例及LU组118例,观察三组患者的手术时间、术后住院时间、住院费用、术后D-J管留置时间、术后3d净石率、术后1个月净石率、术后辅助体外冲击波(ESWL)治疗例数、术后并发症发生率.结果 三组患者复杂性输尿管上段结石术后3d的净石率分别为98.3％(FURS组)、88.1％(MPCNL组)、94.4％(LU组),其中MPCNL组术后3d的净石率较低,明显低于FURS组(P＜0.05),而三组患者的术后1个月净石率比较无明显差异(P＞0.05);与FURS组患者相比,MPCNL组及LU组患者的手术时间、住院时间明显增加,住院费用明显较少,术后并发症发生率较高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与MPCNL组患者相比,LU组患者手术时间(69.32±6.05) min较短,术后需ESWL辅助处理率(1.7％)更小,术后并发症发生率(3.6％)较低;而三组患者在术后D-J留置时间方面无明显差异(P＞0.05).结论 复杂性输尿管上段结石的治疗可根据患者的综合情况,选择合适而理想的个体化微创治疗方案,而输尿管软镜钬激光碎石治疗具有碎石效率高、安全的优势,值得临床进一步推广应用.     

Indications of stented uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy: a prospective randomized controlled study

The purpose of our trial was to evaluate whether stents could be eliminated after uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy for ureteral stones and the indications of ureteral stent placement. A total of 228 patients underwent uncomplicated ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy. After the procedures, patients without marked ureteral edema, polypoid change or stent placement were treated as a control group. The other patients were randomized to two groups. Patients were followed on the first postoperative day, 6 and 12 weeks, postoperatively. In stented cases the stent was removed after 1 week. Outcome measures included visual analog scale assessment, postoperative analgesic requirements, complications and the stone-free rate. On the first postoperative day the symptoms of flank pain, dysuria and frequency were significantly greater in the stented group (P < 0.0001). The overall perioperative complication rate, including fever, pyuria, flank and loin pain, was 3.3% (3/90) in group 1, 16.9% (12/71) in group 2, and 41.8% (28/67) in group 3. We believe that in selected patients undergoing ureteroscopy for ureteral stone, stents can be safely omitted. Patients without stents have significantly less stent-related symptoms and are not at higher risk of complications with smooth ureteral mucosa. When there is ureteral edema or polypoid change with pyuria, ureteral stents should be indwelled to avoid severe postoperative complications.     

A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing nonstented versus stented ureteroscopic lithotripsy

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed to determine whether stents may be eliminated after uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy for ureteral stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 patients underwent uncomplicated ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy. After stone fragmentation patients were randomized to a nonstented (29) or a stented (29) treatment group. Intracorporeal lithotripsy was performed with the holmium laser in 57 cases and by electrohydraulic lithotripsy in 1 without balloon dilation or the extraction of stone fragments. Patients were followed 1, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. In stented cases the stent was removed at 1 week. Outcome measures included postoperative symptoms assessed with a visual analog scale, postoperative analgesic requirements, complications and the stone-free rate. RESULTS: At 1 week the symptoms of flank pain, abdominal pain, dysuria and frequency were significantly greater in the stented group (p <0.005). There were no differences in symptoms in the groups at subsequent followup visits. There was no difference in treatment groups in terms of the amount of analgesic required in the recovery room or during 1 week after ureteroscopy. Similarly there was no difference in the number of patients requiring antiemetics. One patient in the stented group required hospitalization for genitourinary sepsis and 1 patient in the nonstented group visited the emergency room for postoperative vomiting. The stone-free rate was 100% in each group. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that after ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy with the holmium laser patients with a stent have significantly greater irritative and painful symptoms than those without a stent in the early postoperative period. There was no difference in nonstented and stented ureteroscopy with respect to complications or stone-free status. Therefore, we believe that routine stenting after ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy with the holmium laser is not required as long as the procedure is uncomplicated and performed without balloon dilation of the ureteral orifice.     

Nonstented versus routine stented ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy: a prospective randomized trial

We conducted a prospective, randomized study to evaluate whether postoperative ureteral stenting is necessary after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. A total of 115 consecutive patients with distal or middle ureteral calculi amenable to ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were prospectively randomized into stented group (n = 58) and nonstented group (n = 57). The stent was routinely placed in the treated ureter for 2 weeks. The outcomes were measured with postoperative patient symptoms, stone-free rates, early and late postoperative complications, and cost-effectiveness. The postoperative symptoms were measured with Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). All patients completed a 12-week follow-up. There was no significant difference between two groups with respect to the patient age, stone size, stone location and mean operative time. According to the USSQ, the symptoms of the stented group were significantly worse compared to the nonstented group (P = 0.0001). In the stented group, two patients had high fever for 1 week after the operation, stent migration was found in two patients, and the stents had to be removed earlier in five patients because of severe pain or hematuria. The cost of the stented group was significantly higher than the nonstented group. The stone-free rate was 100% in both groups. No hydronephrosis or ureteral stricture was detected by intravenous pyelogram in the 12th week postoperative follow-up. In conclsion, we believe that routine stenting after ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy with the holmium laser is not necessary as long as the procedure is uncomplicated for distal or middle ureteral calculis less than 2 cm.     

Ureteral stenting after ureteroscopy for distal ureteral calculi: a multi-institutional prospective randomized controlled study assessing pain, outcomes and complications

PURPOSE: We compare postoperative pain, stone-free rates and complications after ureteroscopic treatment of distal ureteral calculi with or without the use of ureteral stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 113 patients with distal ureteral calculi amenable to ureteroscopic treatment were prospectively randomized into stented (53) and unstented (60) groups. Stones were managed with semirigid ureteroscopes with or without distal ureteral dilation and/or intracorporeal lithotripsy. Preoperative and postoperative pain questionnaires were obtained from each patient. Patients with stents had them removed 3 to 10 days postoperatively. Radiographic followup was performed postoperatively to assess stone-free rates and evidence of obstruction. RESULTS: Six patients randomized to the unstented group were withdrawn from the study after significant intraoperative ureteral trauma was recognized, including 3 ureteral perforations, that required ureteral stent placement, leaving 53 with stents and 54 without for analysis. Patients with stents had statistically significantly more postoperative flank pain (p = 0.005), bladder pain (p <0.001), urinary symptoms (p = 0.002), overall pain (p <0.001) and total narcotic use (p <0.001) compared to the unstented group. Intraoperative ureteral dilation or intracorporeal lithotripsy did not statistically significantly affect postoperative pain or narcotic use in either group (p >0.05 in all cases). Overall mean stone size in our study was 6.6 mm. There were 4 (7.4%) patients without stents who required postoperative readmission to the hospital secondary to flank pain. All patients (85%) who underwent imaging postoperatively were without evidence of obstruction or ureteral stricture on followup imaging (mean followup plus or minus standard deviation 1.8 +/- 1.5 months), and the stone-free rate was 99.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Uncomplicated ureteroscopy for distal ureteral calculi with or without intraoperative ureteral dilation can safely be performed without placement of a ureteral stent. Patients without stents had significantly less pain, fewer urinary symptoms and decreased narcotic use postoperatively.     

双“D-J”管在预防复杂性输尿管结石钬激光碎石术后狭窄的应用

目的探讨复杂性输尿管结石钬激光碎石术后留置双“D-J”管对预防术后狭窄的临床疗效。方法选取我院2018年6月~2019年6月收治的因复杂性输尿管结石行输尿管镜钬激光碎石治疗的80例患者,采用随机数字法分为研究组(n=40例)及对照组(n=40例),于钬激光碎石术后分别留置双“D-J”管和单根“D-J”管。比较两组患者手术时间、腰痛数字评分、膀胱刺激症、肉眼血尿、结石残留率、输尿管狭窄发生率等指标。结果两组患者手术时间及膀胱刺激症、腰痛评分、血尿、发热等带管期间并发症比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);拔管4周后两组结石清除率比较,差异亦无统计学意义(P>0.05);拔管后研究组输尿管狭窄发生率为5%,明显低于对照组的22.5%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于复杂性输尿管结石患者,放置双“D-J”管可有效减少输尿管狭窄的发生,并对带管期间并发症和结石清除率无影响。     

Emergency ureteroscopic lithotripsy in acute renal colic caused by ureteral calculi: a retrospective study

This work was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of emergency ureteroscopic lithotripsy in patients with ureteral stones. From May 2003 to December 2010, 244 patients (184 men and 60 women, mean age 45.6 ± 12.7 years (range 22–73 years) were treated with emergency ureteroscopic lithotripsy for ureteral calculi. All patients were divided into three groups according to the stone location in the ureter. Intracorporeal lithotripsy when necessary was performed with the Swiss lithoclast. The overall stone-free status was defined as the complete absence of stone fragments at 4 weeks, postoperatively. A double J stent was inserted in selected patients if there was significant ureteral wall trauma, edema at the stone impaction site, suspected or proved ureteral perforation, and if the stone migrated to the kidney. The overall success rate was 90.6%. The success rates were different according to the stone site. The success rate of groups A, B and C was 69.4, 94.8 and 96.6%, respectively. The overall rate of ureteral stent insertion at the end of the procedure was 177/244 (72.5%). The rate of stent insertion was 41/49 (83.7%), 32/46 (69.6%) and 104/149 (69.8%) in groups A, B and C, respectively. The overall complication, failure, and stricture rate was 32/244 (13.1%), 23/244 (9.4%) and 0.8%, respectively. With the recent advances in ureteroscopic technology, intracorporeal probes and stone extraction devices, emergency ureteroscopy is found to be a safe and effective procedure with immediate relief from ureteral colic and ureteral stone fragmentation.     

拦截网篮或封堵器和无封堵装置在治疗输尿管上段结石手术中的前瞻性比较

目的比较经输尿管镜拦截网篮或封堵器固定和不用任何封堵装置的情况下,用钬激光碎石治疗输尿管上段结石的疗效及安全胜。方法2010年1月至2012年6月前瞻．胜研究应用拦截网篮或封堵器和不用任何封堵装置进行输尿管镜下钬激光碎石治疗输尿管上段结石240例,并对临床资料进行分析。将患者随机分3组,每组80例。A组使用N—trap网篮,B组使用封堵器,C组不用任何封堵装置。结果A组：77例成功完成拦截网篮固定下钬激光碎石取石,成功率96.3％（77／80）。2例在进镜时结石上漂,术中未发现结石;1例输尿管近端扩张明显,拦截网篮未固定住结石,上移至肾盂。B组：72例成功完成封堵器固定下钬激光碎石,成功率90．0％（72／80）。2例在进镜时结石上移,术中未发现结石;3例息肉包裹的结石在放置封堵器前出现结石漂移至肾盂;3例在放置封堵器时出现结石移至肾盂。C组：60例成功完成单纯钬激光碎石,成功率75．0％（60／80）。4例在进镜时结石上移,术中未发现结石;16例边碎石边上移,最终较大碎块进入肾盂。三组均未发生输尿管撕裂、黏膜袖状剥脱、菌血症等并发症。结论经输尿管镜拦截网篮或封堵器固定下用输尿管镜下钬激光碎石治疗输尿管上段结石,结石不易上漂,原位碎石效率高,均是治疗输尿管上段结石安全、高效的方法。     

Stent positioning after ureteroscopy for urinary calculi: the question is still open

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a study to assess the need for routine ureteral stenting after ureteroscopic stone removal using Lithoclast pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients, prospectively divided in two groups to receive (group A, 52 patients) or not (group B, 52 patients) a stent after stone removal, underwent ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureteral lithiasis. The procedure was performed with the patient under either general or epidural anesthesia. A semirigid ureteroscope (Wolf 8.9 Fr) was used in all cases and intracorporeal lithotripsy with ballistic energy was performed. In group A a double pigtail ureteral 4.8 or 6 Fr polyurethane stent was placed following ureteroscopy. All patients were closely evaluated on follow-up examinations. The outcomes measured were postoperative patient pain, lower urinary tract symptoms, the need for hospital care as a result of the postoperative pain and late postoperative complications. RESULTS: The two patient groups were comparable with respect to the baseline variables of patient gender and age, stone location and mean stone size. Mean operative time plus or minus standard deviation (S.D.) in group A was 42 +/- 15 minutes (range 20-65) compared to 37 +/- 20 (range 15-60) in group B. Operative time was not significantly longer when a stent was placed (p = 0.17). At day 3 the mean visual analog pain score in group B was much higher than in group A (p = 0.01). Dysuria, hematuria and frequency/urgency were more prevalent in the stented group, although without statistically significant difference. Readmission to the hospital for unremitting pain was necessary in 12 of 104 patients (11.5%) all being in unstented group (p < 0.05). The incidence of anatomical ureteral narrowing on IVP at 6 months follow-up was not statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, using Swiss Lithoclast ballistic energy to fragment stones, routine stent placement is advisable also after uncomplicated ureteroscopic lithotripsy without ureteral dilation. Further prospective randomized studies are needed to assess the role of stenting after ureteroscopic lithotripsy, considering different energies sources, scopes, diameter and site of the stones in the ureter.     

A prospective randomized controlled trial on ureteral stenting after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate whether postoperative ureteral stenting is necessary after ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 patients with unilateral ureteral stones were randomized into either stented or unstented groups. Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy was performed using a semirigid ureteroscope (6.5/7Fr) and holmium laser without ureteral orifice dilation. There were no selection criteria regarding stone size, location, preoperative ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis. Endoscopic evidence of stone impaction or mucosal edema/damage did not exclude a patient from the study. Ureteral perforation on completion retrograde pyelogram was the only intraoperative criterion for study exclusion. Postoperative pain scores and symptoms were recorded. Excretory urography was performed to document stone-free status and stricture formation. Radionuclide scan was performed selectively to exclude functional obstruction when ureteral narrowing was found on excretory urogram. RESULTS: Mean stone size +/- SD was 9.7 +/- 4.0 mm. (range 4 to 27). Proximal ureteral stones accounted for 43% of all stones. Stented and unstented groups were comparable with respect to demographic data, stone parameters, preoperative obstruction and hydronephrosis. There was no significant difference in operating time, laser energy used, stone impaction and mucosal edema/damage between the 2 groups. Postoperative pain and symptoms were more severe and frequent (p <0.05) in the stented group. However, there was no difference in the incidence of postoperative sepsis and unplanned medical visits. The stone-free and stricture formation rates showed no statistical difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral stenting is not necessary after uncomplicated ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for ureteral stones. Ureteral stent increases the incidence of pain and urinary symptoms but does not prevent postoperative urinary sepsis and unplanned medical visits. Severity of preoperative obstruction and intraoperative ureteral trauma were not shown to be determining factors for stenting.