ABSTRACT
To present our experience with ureteroscopy for the treatment of ureteral calculi. A retrospective review of 904 ureteroscopies for ureteric lithiasis performed in 810 patients [mean age 39.3 years: range 14-70 years; 485 males, 325 females] at Prince Hussein Bin Abdullah Urology Center between January 2006 and January 2008 was conducted. A 9.5F rigid ureteroscope was used in all patients. Pneumatic lithoclast was used to fragment stones and the fragments were retrieved with forceps and/or baskets. Hospital and follow-up records of the patients were reviewed in this study. Success and complication rates are presented. Sixty one [7.5%] of the stones were located in the upper, 204 [25.2%] in the middle and 545 [67.3%] in the lower ureter. The size of the stones treated ranged between five to 20 mm. Ureteroscopy resulted in successful stone removal in 750 patients [92.6%]. Six hundred and fifty six stones were treated in a single session. Repeat ureteroscopy was performed in 94 patients [11.6%]. In 53 patients [6.5%] the stones were pushed up and successfully underwent ESWL. Antegrade renoureteroscopy was performed in three cases of ureteroscopy failure for fixed tipper ureteric stones. A total of four patients with ureteroscopy failure were referred for open surgery. Gross hematuria was observed in eight [1.0%] patients, 15 [1.9%] patients suffered from postoperative fever for an average of two days [range 1-4 days], 17 [2.1%] patients had persistent renal colic. Nine cases [1.1%] of ureteral perforation were successfully treated by JJ stent, and only one case of ureteral avulsion [upper ureter] was treated by open surgery. Four cases of postoperative ureteral stricture have been observed. On the basis of our experience, ureteroscopy is an effective interventional modality for ureteric stones w ith a low complication rate