Pneumatic lithotripsy versus holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy for the treatment of single ureteral stones: a prospective, single-blinded study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective single-blinded study was to analyze the stone-free (SF) rates between pneumatic lithotripsy (PL) and laser lithotripsy (LL) for the treatment of single and primary ureteral stones and to evaluate potentially predictive factors of a SF status.


METHODS
From January 2010 to January 2011, 133 consecutive patients with single and primary ureteral stones were prospectively enrolled. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression were performed to estimate predictive factors of a SF status.


RESULTS
The SF rate in the PL group was 80.7 and 86.1% in the LL group (p = 0.002). Success rates with regard of stone position were not significantly different between groups. At univariate logistic regression, middle ureteral stone (OR 3.33, p = 0.04), distal ureteral stone (OR 4.4, p = 0.02), LL (OR 3.05, p = 0.04) and Hounsfield units (HUs) (OR 1.07, p = 0.03) were significantly predictive factors of a SF status. At a multivariate logistic regression, middle ureteral stone (OR 5.58, p = 0.01), distal ureteral stone (OR 7.87, p < 0.01), LL (OR 2.4, p = 0.02) and HUs ≥1,200 (OR 1.15, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with a SF status.


CONCLUSIONS
LL significantly influences the SF status after ureteroscopy, allowing a higher SF rate when compared to PL. HUs may significantly influence this success rate.
Department of Urology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Sebastiano
S
Cimino
Vincenzo
V
Favilla
Giorgio I
GI
Russo
Alberto
A
Saita
Giuseppe
G
Sortino
Tommaso
T
Castelli
Massimiliano
M
Veroux
Massimo
M
Madonia
Giuseppe
G
Morgia
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult