title: Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy as primary treatment for ureteric stones: a retrospective study comparing two different treatment strategies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) lithotripter with ultrasound localization technique was replaced in 1999 by a Storz SLX-MX lithotripter with both X-ray and ultrasound detection possibilities. Before replacing our lithotripter, most ureteric stones were treated with ureteroscopy (URS); subsequently, almost all patients underwent ESWL as primary treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results of these two treatment strategies in all consecutive patients attending our hospital in 1998 and 2000 for ureteric stone treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of all patients treated for ureteric stones in 1998 and 2000 were reviewed. In 1998, 173 ureteric stones were treated. Primary treatment was URS in 124 patients, push back/ESWL in 24, ESWL in 21 and open surgery in four. In 2000, 176 ureteric stones were treated: 158 with ESWL and 18 with URS. ESWL or URS monotherapy was defined as ESWL or URS, respectively as the only stone-treatment therapy, with or without the use of a ureteric catheter or nephrostomy tube. Treatment success was defined as a stone-free ureter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 1998, the success rate for URS monotherapy was 95%, with a retreatment rate (sessions per stone situation) of 1.06. Corresponding figures for ESWL monotherapy in 2000 were 90% and 1.69. All URS patients received general anaesthesia; ESWL patients received opiods. Complication rates were 6% for URS and 3% for ESWL. In the URS group, 4/8 complications were considered to be major.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ESWL should be considered the first-line treatment for ureteric stones because of its non-invasive nature, lack of a requirement for general anaesthesia and low complication rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. klas.lindqvist@vgregion.se
authors.forename: Klas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindqvist
authors.forename: Göran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holmberg
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peeker
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grenabo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019233:Retreatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods*