Treatment of ureteral calculi by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. UCLA experience.

One hundred sixteen patients underwent extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for ureteral stones. In 108 patients, the stones were manipulated pre-ESWL whereas 8 patients underwent ESWL without prior stone manipulation. Ureteral lubrication using a 2% Xylocaine jelly solution greatly facilitated the retrograde advancement of the calculus or the passage of ureteral catheters alongside the stone. ESWL disintegrated all but 4 stones for an overall success rate of 96.6 per cent. It is considered that the combination of retrograde ureteral stone repositioning and ESWL is a highly successful alternative in the management of ureteral calculi.