Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy of Stones in the Upper, Mid, and Lower Ureter

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Abstract
Ureteral calculi in 320 patients were treated with a variety of ESWL techniques, including retrograde displacement pre-ESWL, ESWL in situ with or without catheter bypass, and ESWL in situ with simultaneous irrigation. There were 161 upper ureteral calculi, 28 mid ureteral calculi, and 131 lower ureteral calculi. The success rates for the treatment of upper and mid ureteral calculi were 82% and 68%, respectively, with the best results being obtained if the stone could be repositioned into the kidney prior to ESWL. Seventy-seven per cent of calculi in the lower ureter were successfully managed with ESWL, with little difference in the success rate beteen in situ treatment and that after retrograde displacement. The treatment of ureteral calculi with ESWL compares favorably with other treatment options and offers the advantage of being less invasive.