RESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of variable sized rigid ureteroscopes for treatment of lower ureteric calculi with and without ureteral dilatation Between August 2000 and July 2003, 156 patients with stone lower ureter underwent ureteroscopy. The patients were randomized preoperatively and divided equally into two groups: Group I [78 patients] underwent ureteroscopy without dilatation using mini- ureteroscope [8.5 F] and their stone diameter was up to 10 mm and group II [78 patients with stone diameter more than 10 mm up to 20 mm] were treated by rigid ureteroscope [12.5 F]. Ureteral dilatation was performed before stone extraction. Swiss lithoclast was used in both groups for stone fragmentation. The mean operative time, hospital stay, complications and success rate were recorded in each group of patients. The results showed that in group I the mean operative time was 35 minutes, the mean hospital stay was 1.2 days and complication rate was 15.4%. In group II, the mean operative time, mean hospital stay and complication rate were 45 minutes, 1.5 days and 24.4% respectively. The success rate was 93.6% in group I versus 96.2% in group II