Comparative Study between Flexible Ureteroscopy and Semirigid Ureteroscopy in Management of Upper Ureteric Stones using Laser Lithotripsy

Abstract

here are various options in the management of proximal ureteral stones, which includes medical expulsive therapy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URS; retrograde), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), laparoscopy (LAP), and open surgery The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of both semirigid and flexible ureteroscopy in management of upper ureteric stones using laser lithotripsy. To achieve this goal, this prospective study was done at the urology department, Ain Shams University Hospitals over 60 patients with upper ureteric stones less than 2 cm in size. Divided into to groups 30 patients in each group. Patients in group A were treated by semirigid ureteroscopy.while patients in group B were treated by flexible ureteroscopy using laser lithotripsy in both procedures. Stone free rate was 90.0% in group A while it was 93.3% in group B. Mean operative time was 55.07 ± 13.24 min in Group A while it was 64.63 ± 17.33 min in Group B. Success rate was 76.7% in group A, while it was 90.0% in group B.