ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of electronic flexible ureteroscope Holmium laser lithotripsy in the treatment of kidney stones larger than 2. 0 cm. Methods From October 2012 to December 2013,43 cases of kidney stones larger than 2. 0 cm in diam-eter were treated with holmium laser lithotripsy under electronic flexible ureteroscope. A double-J stent was indwelled in ureter for 1~2 weeks before operation in each patient. Ureteral catheter guide wire was firstly put into the ureter with F8. 0/9. 8 semi-rigid ureteroscope,and the ac-cess sheath was put along the wire. Then,the electronic flexible ureteroscope(Olympus V5) was introduced into the pelvis. Stones were frag-mented with holmium laser,and greater than 3 mm crushed stones were removed with a set of stone basket. Results The diameter of the stones of the 43 patients ranged from 2~3. 2 cm,with an average of 2. 4 cm. The operation time ranged from 35~120 min,with an average of 68 min. Three patients complicated with chills,fever and other symptoms of infection,who were improved by active anti-infective treatment. No serious complications occurred. Postoperative hospital stay was 2~4 d,with an average of 3. 2 d. After 12 weeks of follow-up,stone clearance rate was 86% (37/43). Conclusion It is safe and efficacy to treat kidney stones larger than 2. 0 cm with electronic flexible ureteroscope, especially for the elderly,solitary kidney,and patients with a previous incision or percutaneous nephrolithotomy.