PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy with a semirigid ureteroscope for ureteral calculi in a prospective cohort of 697 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy was performed with a semirigid ureteroscope in 697 inpatients between September 2002 and January 2006. Calculi were located in the distal ureter in 382 patients (54.8%), the midureter in 143 (20.5%), and the proximal ureter in 172 (24.7%). Patients were assessed 2 to 24 weeks postoperatively with repeat plain radiography, ultrasonography, intravenous urography, or some combination. RESULTS: The overall stone-free rate was 92.2%, the rate being 100% for calculi in the distal ureter (N = 382), 97.9% for calculi in the midureter (N = 140), and 70.3% for calculi in the proximal ureter (N = 121). Complications occurred in 13 patients (1.9%). Postoperative ureteral stricture developed in five patients (0.72%) and was managed surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy with a semirigid ureteroscope is a highly effective and safe treatment for ureteral calculi, especially those in the distal ureter and midureter.
PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy with a semirigid ureteroscope for ureteral calculi in a prospective cohort of 697 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy was performed with a semirigid ureteroscope in 697 inpatients between September 2002 and January 2006. Calculi were located in the distal ureter in 382 patients (54.8%), the midureter in 143 (20.5%), and the proximal ureter in 172 (24.7%). Patients were assessed 2 to 24 weeks postoperatively with repeat plain radiography, ultrasonography, intravenous urography, or some combination. RESULTS: The overall stone-free rate was 92.2%, the rate being 100% for calculi in the distal ureter (N = 382), 97.9% for calculi in the midureter (N = 140), and 70.3% for calculi in the proximal ureter (N = 121). Complications occurred in 13 patients (1.9%). Postoperative ureteral stricture developed in five patients (0.72%) and was managed surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy with a semirigid ureteroscope is a highly effective and safe treatment for ureteral calculi, especially those in the distal ureter and midureter.
Authors: Stavros Sfoungaristos; Ofer N Gofrit; Ioannis Katafigiotis; Dov Pode; Ezekiel H Landau; Vladimir Yutkin; Constantinos A Constantinides; Mordechai Duvdevani Journal: Int Urol Nephrol Date: 2015-10-05 Impact factor: 2.370
Authors: Prodromos Philippou; David Payne; Kim Davenport; Anthony G Timoney; Francis X Keeley Journal: Urolithiasis Date: 2013-08-28 Impact factor: 3.436