ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) with holmium laser lithotripsy in managing symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi. Methods The records of 23 patients by flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) with holmium laser lithotripsy in managing symptomatic caliceal diverticular calculi from January 2008 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.The 23 cases included 15 males and 8 females,aged from 23 to 68 years.All patients had unilateral calyceal diverticulum stone,with 11,9,and 3 cases had a caliceal diverticular stone in the upper pole,midkidney,and lower pole,respectively.Sand-like stones were observed in most caliceal diverticular.The diameter of the largest stone was 18.9 mm.The presenting symptoms were flank pain,recurrent urinary tract infections,and hematuria.One week before operations,all patients was placed Double-J stent and underwent intravenous urography and renal computed tomography (CT).The ureteral access sheath was placed firstly during operation,and then ureterorenoscope was inserted into the renal pelvis.The diverticular neck was incised with holmium laser if needed,and a 200um holmium laser fiber was used to crush diverticular stone. Results Flexible ureterorenoscopes were successfully placed in all patients.Postoperatively,15 (65.3％patients were rendered stone free (SF),5 patients had clinically insigni? cant residual fragmentsless than 4 mm )( CIRF),and a residual fragment (RF) was found in three patients.The success rate ( SF ± CIRF) was 87.0％.All patients were symptom free after operation.The average operative time and hospital stay were 60 minutes and 3.5 days,respectively.No severe complications occured.A follow-up of 6 -12 months showed no recurrence. Conclusions F-URS using a holmium laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective,and may be offered as a first line therapy for symptomatic caliceal diverticula calculi.