Comparison of transurethral ureteroscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for treatment of ureteral calculi

Abstract

Ureteral calculi were treated by transurethral uretereoscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and the results were compared. Rigid transurethral ureteroscopy was performed in 50 patients, and 10 of 22 stones located in the upper ureter and 25 of 29 stones located in the lower ureter were successfully extracted. On the other hand, we treated 88 patients with upper ureteral stones by ESWL and achieved a success rate of 89.8%. We therefore conclude that for upper ureteral stones, ESWL is the more effective treatment and, for lower ureteral stones, transurethral ureteroscopy.