Upper-ureteral calculi ≥1.5 cm: treatment by endourological procedure

Objective To compare ureteroscopic hthotomy (URL)and minimally invasive percuta-neous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) for the management of upper-ureteral calculi ≥ 1.5 cm. Methods Fifty-eight patients with upper-ureteral calculi ≥ 1.5 cm were selected in randomized for URL group (35patients)or MPCNL group (23 patients). Ultrasonography and intravenous X-ray were performed for all pa-tients before surgery. Results In the URL group, 13 cases (37.1%)were rendered stone-free, 8 stones mi-grated upward to the pelvis of kidney. In these cases,a double- J stent was inserted, and ESWL was per-formed,7 cases had ureteral distortion, 3 cases had ureteral stricture, 4 cases had bad field of vision, MPCNL or open operation was performed in these eases. The mean operative time was 38 minutes (range 25-48 min-utes). In the MPCNL group,21 eases (91.3%)were rendered stone-free. In the other 2 patients,ESWL was performed because the stone fragments migrated upward to the pelvis of kidney. The mean operative time was 34 minutes (range 20-58 minutes). Conclusion Compared with URL,MPCNL is a safe and effective procedure for treating upper-ureteral calculi ≥ 1.5 cm. Key words: Ureteral calculi;  Ureteroseopes;  Nephrostomy,pereutaneous