Outcome of ureteroscopy for the management of distal ureteric calculi: 5-years’ experience

Abstract

Objective: To review our 5 years’ experience with ureteroscopy treatment of distal ureteric calculi.

Patients and methods: We reviewed the medical records of 136 patients who underwent ureteroscopic procedures for the treatment of distal ureteric calculi from February 2007 to October 2012. Patient and stone characteristics, treatment modality and outcome were assessed. Procedure’s duration, status “stone free” and hospital stay were also evaluated. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up period was 31.8 months for 74.2% of eligible patients.

Results: The stone free rate following an initial ureteroscopy was 79.4. The ultimate success rate for stone removal after “second look” improved to 95.9%. The mean operative duration was 51 minutes. The intraoperative complication rate was 8.6%, the postoperative complication rate was 7.5%, and the mean hospital stay was 1.1 days. 

We could detect one ureteric stricture and one vesico-ureteric reflux (0.9% for each). A significant ureteric perforation was detected in 4.1% and ureteric perforation in 0.7% of the study group. 

We could find that the longer the operative duration, the greater the complications. Stone impaction and size were also found associated with higher morbidity.

Conclusion: Growing skills and experience of ureteroscopy will lead to a significant increase in the success rate and also reducing serious complications.

Keywords: Ureteroscopy; Outcome; Distal ureter calculi; Complications