Endoscopic removal of ureteral calculi in the age of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

: High success rates of the shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral stones are only achieved by repeated sessions and auxiliary measures. Therefore no general therapy of choice can be established. If differentiation is made according to certain criteria the endoscopic removal of ureteral calculi still plays an effective role as a significant complement to the shock wave lithotripsy. With a primary success rate of 93% for the distal ureteral stone and a rate of 1.5% for severe complications the endoscopic removal of large and small ureteral calculi indicated by a high risk situation of a vain attempt of a spontaneous stone loss is presenting a highly effective and successful matter of therapy with low risk. These indications are considered unfavourable assumptions for a primary shock wave lithotripsy. The therapeutical concept, results and complications due to ureteroscopy are presented and compared with the shock wave treatment.