Laser Versus Pneumatic Lithotripsy in Management of Renal and Ureteric Stones

Abstract

Holmium: YAG laser and pneumatic lithoclast were used through semirigid ureteroscopy and percutaneous route to fragment the upper ureteral and renal stones respectively which then removed by forceps. This study was carried out on 50 patients in Ain Shams University Eldemerdash hospital from October 2015 to October 2016 (26) patients had upper ureteric stones treated by Holmium: YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy and (24) patients had renal stones treated by Holmium: YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy. At the end of the study we concluded that renal and upper ureteral stones can be treated effectively by Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy with higher stone free rates and lower complication rate than pneumatic lithotripsy. Most of Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy complications are minor and can be treated either conservatively or endourologically without further morbidity or mortality.