title: Application of Ureteroscope in Emergency Treatment with Persistent Renal Colic Patients during Pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the application of ureteroscopy in the treatment of ureteral calculi during pregnancy has been on the rise, for persistent renal colic patients without ultrasound-detected ureteral calculi, it may represent a clinical dilemma due to the potential risks for both mother and fetus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study is to present our experience with the application of the ureteroscope in the emergency treatment of persistent renal colic patients during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2009 to September 2014, a total of 117 pregnant women who received ureteroscopy for persistent renal colic were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to duration of the persistent renal colic: Group A (within 12 hours; 24 cases); Group B (12 to 24 hours; 76 cases); and Group C (more than 24 hours; 17 cases). The stone-free rate, complications, and other qualitative data were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 117 patients, 31 patients who were found not to have renal or ureteral calculi received ureteroscopic double-J (DJ) stent insertion, whereas 86 patients who were found with ureteral calculi received ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) and DJ stent insertion. Among them, 24 patients (27.9%) were found with ureteral calculi by ureteroscopy rather than ultrasound. In addition, 73 patients (84.9%) had complete fragmentation of calculi; 12 patients (10.3%) had a threatened abortion (the rates of threatened abortion in Groups A, B and C were 8.3% vs. 6.5% vs. 29.4%; Group C compared with Groups A and B, p<0.05), and one patient (1.2%) had urosepsis (in Group C). However, these complications were cured with conservative treatment, without postpartum infant and maternal complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For pregnant patients with persistent renal colic/ureteral calculi and hydronephrosis, ureteroscopic DJ stent insertion and URSL are effective and safe options when conservative treatment fails, even if no urinary calculi were found by ultrasound. At the same time, for patients with persistent renal colic during pregnancy, early application of ureteroscopy may reduce the risk of preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Southern Medical University, People's Road No. 11, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, 528000, China.
authors.forename: Shilin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Southern Medical University, People's Road No. 11, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, 528000, China.
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Southern Medical University, People's Road No. 11, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, 528000, China.
authors.forename: Yongfu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Duo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Southern Medical University, People's Road No. 11, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, 528000, China.
authors.forename: Jianfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Southern Medical University, People's Road No. 11, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, 528000, China.
authors.forename: Jierong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Foshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Southern Medical University, People's Road No. 11, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, 528000, China.
authors.forename: Chunjing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D056844:Renal Colic / Q000601:surgery*; D020709:Ureteroscopes; D055815:Young Adult