KUMJ | VOL. 15 | NO. 4 | ISSUE 60 | OCT.-DEC. 2017
Management of Proximal Ureteric Stones: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) Versus Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy (URSL)
Joshi HN, Shrestha B, Karmacharya RM, Makaju S, Koju R, Gyawali D
Abstract: Background
Urolithiasis is the third most common disease of the urinary tract after urinary tract
infections and pathologic conditions of prostate. Debate is ongoing regarding the
effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureterorenoscopic
lithotripsy (URSL) in the management of ureteral stones.
Objective
We aim to compare the efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and
Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy in the management of upper ureteric stones in terms
of stone clearance.
Method
This prospective hospital based study included patients with upper ureteric
calculus managed with Ureterorenoscopic Lithortripsy with Double J stenting or
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University
Hospital from August 2014 to July 2015. Stone size, stone clearance, number of
sittings, complications and need of other procedure were recorded.
Result
There were 90 patients with upper ureteric calculus. Among these patients,
45 patients underwent Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and 45 patients
underwent Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy. There was no difference in male/female
ratio, age and stone diameter between two groups (p>0.05). Total stone-free ratio
was 88.9% (40/45) for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and 82.2% (37/45) for
URSL, partial fragmentation requiring shift of modality of treatment was 8.88% (4/45)
for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and 13.33% (6/45) for Ureterorenoscopic
Lithotripsy. Failure of procedure was noted in 11.1% in Extracorporeal Shock Wave
Lithotripsy group and 17.8% in URSL group In the Extracorporeal Shock Wave
Lithotripsy group, 8.89% (4 out of 45) patients required Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy
for complete stone clearance. Complete stone clearance could not be achieved in
2.23% (1 out of 45) patient with both Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and
Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy and had to undergo open ureterolithotomy.
Conclusion
Both Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy are
equally effective in the management of upper ureteric calculus with no significant
difference in age, male/female ratio, stone diameter and stone free ratio.
Keyword : Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, Ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy, Ureteric stone