Abstract

Aim: Rigid ureteroscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy treatment results were evaluated according to the size and localization of the stones in the treatment of ureteral stones. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated 79 patients who have been treated with rigid ureteroscopy and 185 patients who have been treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The stones have been separated into 3 groups due to localization as distal, mid and proximal ureter, and into 2 groups due to size as <10 mm and >10 mm Success rates and extra treatment requirements have been evaluated. Findings: Average stone size was determined 10.3 mm (7-18) in ureteroscopy group and 9.7 mm (6-17) in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy group. The success rates of ureteroscopy group according to localization were as follows for proximal, mid and distal ureter respectively: 55.5 (5/9), 92.8 (26/28), and 97.6 (41/42) percent. The rates for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy group were as follows respectively: 87.5 (113/129), 76.9 (40/52), and 50.0 (2/4) percent. The success rates for ureteroscopy group of ureteral stones <10 mm and >10 mm were as follows respectively: 94.2 (33/35), and 88.6 (39/44) percent (p<0.05). These rates for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy group were as follows respectively: 88.6 (86/97), and 78.4 (69/87) percent (p<0.05). Overall success rates were determined 91.1 (72/79) percent in ureteroscopy group and 83.7 percent (155/185) in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy group free from size and localization (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although our success rates of ureteroscopy group were higher than the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy group, our success rates for the proximal ureteral stones were quiet low in ureteroscopy group.