title: Comparative study of pulsed dye laser and pneumatic lithotripters for transurethral ureterolithotripsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical effectiveness and safety of the Swiss Lithoclast (Lithoclast) and the Candela MDL-2000 (MDL) in the treatment of lower ureteral stone were examined retrospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six stones from 66 patients and 26 stones from 20 patients were treated by Lithoclast and MDL, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stone-free rate on 3-month follow-up was 97% and 95% for the Lithoclast and MDL, respectively (no significant difference). The operation time was significantly shorter for the Lithoclast than for the MDL (90.2+/-50.2 vs 120.4+/-55.1 min; P<0.05). Postoperative analgesics were required significantly less frequently in Lithoclast (10/66 vs 11/20; P<0.01). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter for Lithoclast (8.7+/-5.1 vs 12.1+/-4.2 days; P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Swiss Lithoclast is an effective and less invasive modality for endoscopic treatment of lower ureteral stones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. kinuta@kyorin-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nutahara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okegawa
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Higashihara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods*