Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy versus ballistic lithotripsy for treatment of ureteric stones: a prospective comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to compare the results of laser (Ho:YAG) and pneumatic (ballistic) intracorporeal lithotripsy for ureteric calculi in terms of efficacy, safety and complications.


METHODS
55 patients having ureteric calculus were randomly allocated into pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) and laser lithotripsy (LL) groups. Swiss lithoclast was used for PL (3 atm pressure and 12 Hz frequency) and the VersaPulse PowerSuite was used for LL. Appropriate statistical tests were applied.


RESULTS
30 patients (34 stones) were treated with LL and 25 patients (25 stones) with PL. Both groups were comparable in profile. Mean lithotripsy time was 24.03 +/- 9.51 min in the LL group and 19.80 +/- 4.44 min in the PL group (p = 0.027). The immediate stone clearance rate was higher in the LL group (p = 0.001), but it was comparable at 4 weeks (p = 0.097). Stone migration occurred in 16% of cases in the PL group. No major complication was observed in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that both laser and pneumatic energies are effective and safe for intracorporeal lithotripsy. Laser lithotripsy takes more time but provides earlier stone-free status.
Department of Urology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
S
S
Garg
A K
AK
Mandal
S K
SK
Singh
A
A
Naveen
M
M
Ravimohan
M
M
Aggarwal
U K
UK
Mete
K
K
Santosh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult