Efficacy of Semirigid Ureteroscopy with Pneumatic Lithotripsy for Ureteral Stone Surface Area of Greater Than 30 mm2

Abstract

Objectives: To study the outcome and safety of semirigid ureteroscopy (URS) using pneumatic lithotripsy for treatment of ureteral stones of surface area >30 mm² and to assess the impact of size and location on stone-free (SF) rate. Patients and Methods: In this study, 265 patients with >30 mm² isolated ureteral stones treated by semirigid URS were included. URS was performed using an 8F, 7F, or 6.4F semirigid ureteroscopes with pneumatic lithotripsy (Swiss Lithoclast™). Stones were fragmented to ∼2–3 mm particles, and removed. The outcome parameters assessed at 3-month follow-up were SF rate and efficiency quotient (EQ); impact of stone size and site on SF/EQ was also analyzed. The patient demographics, stone, procedure, and patient-related parameters and complications were noted. Results: At 3-month follow-up overall SF was 74% and EQ 59.2%. SF for 30–100 mm² and >100 mm² was 79.2% and 68.5%, respectively (p < 0.003). The SF/EQ for upper, middle, and lower ureteral stones were 59/40.7, 53/37.5, and 92/84.5, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no major complication; the minor complication rate was 12.5%. Conclusions: Semirigid URS using pneumatic lithotripsy for treatment of stones >30 mm² is a safe and highly efficacious procedure particularly in the distal ureter. There is a significant difference in the SF and EQ between upper/middle ureteral stone and lower ureteral stone. Stone size has a direct relation with the SF and EQ. Upper ureteral stones have a longer time to SF compared to middle and lower ureteral stones (p < 0.001).