Ureteric Stone Surgery in Practice

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Abstract
From 1983 to 1986 140 patients underwent surgery for ureteric calculus. In approximately 30% "blind" basket extraction was considered appropriate and continued to be effective. Increasing expertise with the rigid ureterorenoscope led to a considerable reduction in open ureterolithotomy (15% in 1985-86), the majority following failed ureteroscopic extraction. In the same year both "blind" basket extraction and ureteroscopy were successful in 82 and 86% of attempts, respectively. Electrohydraulic and ultrasonic lithotripsy were used in 12 patients to reduce large impacted calculi. The commonest complication of ureteroscopic stone surgery was perforation; this occurred in 14% of cases, though it was usually trivial and near the vesicoureteric junction. Perforations higher in the ureter tended to follow endoscopic lithotripsy and were often associated with urinary extravasation. Extra-ureteric stone fragments were also occasionally observed in such cases. There were no serious sequelae, although the in-patient stay was prolonged beyond the 48 h customary for uncomplicated extraction. The results suggest that ureteroscopic stone extraction, which can be conveniently introduced into urological practice, should become a standard endoscopic procedure.