Ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral calculi using the holmium laser (our first experience)

Dinić Lj., Ignjatović I., Stanković J.

MedicalFacultyUniversity of Nis, Department of Urology
Clinical Center Nis

Introduction & objectives

Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive method for the ureteral stone treatment and one of the most demanding procedure in endourology. We analyzed our first experience with ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral calculi using the holmium laser (Lumenis).

Material & methods

We analyzed the success rate, duration time of procedure  and complications of ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in twenty one patients retrospectively.

Results

Mean age was 54,67 years. Male to female ratio was: 1 to 1,3. In 66,6% (14) patients stones were located in the distal ureter and 33,4% (7) in proximal (lumbar) ureter. Average stone diameter was 8,75 mm. Intraoperative complications were not registered. The success rate of ureteroscopic lithotripsy was 95,23% (20/21). Average duration time of procedure was about 25min. Postoperative minor complications were recorded in 4 (19%) cases and included prolonged hematuria 2 (9,5%), urinary tract infections in 1 (4,75%)  and pyelonephritis in 1 (4,75%).

Conclusion

Ureteroscopic treatment of ureteral calculi using the holmium laser is a safe and less invasive method with a short time of duration and success rate more then 95% in a single treatment.