Ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral calculi with holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
Jiang
Haowen
H
Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. haowenj@yahoo.com
Wu
Zhong
Z
Ding
Qiang
Q
Zhang
Yuanfang
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006695:Holmium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D018666:Ureteroscopy
D006695:Holmium