[Ureteroscopy for upper urinary tract stones]

Prog Urol. 2008 Dec;18(12):912-6. doi: 10.1016/j.purol.2008.09.022. Epub 2008 Oct 16.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Indication for ureteroscopy of an upper urinary tract stone depends on the location and size of the stone. For small proximal ureteral stones, first-line treatment is extracorporeal lithotripsy (ESWL). For big or distal ureteral stones, ureteroscopy (URS) is the more efficient urological treatment. URS has a higher morbidity than ESWL. URS must be careful, urines must be sterile, and a renal safety wire is mandatory. Ideal intracorporeal lithotripsy means are ballistic energy or holmium laser. Ureteral drainage is not always needed in case of easy monobloc removal of a small non impacted stone. In other cases an ureteral drainage is safer. The Stone Free rate of URS is 65-90%. The risk of ureteral stenosis is 1%.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Kidney Calculi / therapy*
  • Ureteroscopes
  • Ureteroscopy* / methods