[Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy]

Abstract

Ureterolithotomy has an alternative which is much less invasive --retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy (RU). Nineteen cases of RU are reported (15 males, 4 females). Thirteen patients have undergone RU as monotherapy, 5 patients--after ineffective sessions of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, 1 patient--after contact ureterolithotripsy. Mean size of the stones was 12.8 (9.5-30) mm. All the stones were eliminated for one procedure. Duration of surgery in the first 5 operations was 1.5-2 hours, in subsequent ones--65-70 min. The number of bed-days varied from 2 to 10 days (4.2 days). One male had a postoperative attack of pyelonephritis which was treated with antibacterial drugs. RU is a safe and effective operation, it is justified when previous surgery was ineffective, in large, longstanding concrements of the upper and middle third of the ureter, monohydrate-oxalate concrements.