A comparison of efficacies of holmium YAG laser, and pneumatic lithotripsy in the endoscopic treatment of ureteral stones.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to compare the effectiveness of holmium YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral stones.


METHODS
A total of 216 patients who had established indications of ureteroscopy between November 2011 and June 2012 were included in this study. Patients' files were retrospectively reviewed by dividing cases as groups that underwent pneumatic (PL) or laser lithotripsy (LL) procedures. Age, sex, stone burden and localization, duration of follow-up, operative times were evaluated. Stone-free rates were evaluated by ureteroscopical examination, postoperative scout films and ultrasonography.


RESULTS
Group PL consisted of 109 and group LL of 107 patients. Median age was 43.93±15.94 years in Group PL and 46.15±14.54 years in Group LL. Male to female ratio, stone burden and localization were similar for both groups. Overall success rate was 89.9% in Group PL and 87.9% in Group LL, respectively (p<0.791). With the aid of additional procedures, success rate was 100% for both groups at the end of the first month. Groups were not different as for operative time, rate of insertion of an ureteral catheter and its removal time. Hospitalization period was apparently somewhat shorter in Group LL (p=0.00).


CONCLUSIONS
Pneumatic lithotripsy can be as efficacious as laser lithotripsy and be used safely in the endoscopic management of ureteral stone. In comparison of both methods, we detected no differences as to operative time, success of operation and the time to removal of the catheter, however, hospitalization period was shorter in Group LL.
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Ekrem
E
Akdeniz
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Lokman
L
İrkılata
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Hüseyin Cihan
HC
Demirel
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Acun
A
Saylık
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Mustafa Suat
MS
Bolat
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Necmettin
N
Şahinkaya
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Mehmet
M
Zengin
Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey.
Mustafa Kemal
MK
Atilla
Laser lithotripsy; pneumatic lithotripsiy; ureteroscopy