ABSTRACT
A restrospective study was conducted comparing open surgery versus endourology for the treatment of urinary tract calculi from 1989 to 1990. Of the 312 patients studied, 60 were treated by endourological methods extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, PUNL, ureterotripsy), while 275 required open surgery to accomplish successful stone removal. Conditions taken into considerations which influence the mode of treatment were the availability of the equipment needed, associated genitourinary and medical anomalies, definite indications, surgeons preference, stone size and location as well as financial capability of the patient. Statistics shows that urinary tract calculi are, in the majority, approached with open surgery, however, with the availability of endouralogical equipments, the know-how and thru time, endourology would be considered a very viable treatment option. (Author)