Pneumatic lithortripsy for the management of ureteric calculi

ABSTRACT

To determine the efficacy of Swiss lithoclast in the management of ureteric calculi and complications encountered in lithoclasty. Design: A prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study Department of Urology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore [October 1999 ' September 2001]. Subjects and Thirty ureteric stones [in 20 subjects] were treated over a 2-year period. Site, size and number of stones were noted in these patients. Swiss lithoclast, introduced through a ureteroscope, was used to break the stone. The Lithotripsy time was 30 min. Stone breakage was assessed by plain X-ray KUB or retrograde pyelography. Fragmentation was complete in 90% cases. At one week follow up, 90% of patients were stone-free and at 3 months follow-up 95% of patients had spontaneous passage of the fragments. Re-treatment was required in 5% cases. Mean hospital stay was 2.4 days. Complications [including both significant and minor] occurred in 25% of cases. Lithoclasty is safe, simple and effective procedure for ureteric calculi. However, complications of the procedure may prolong the usual 48 hours hospital stay seen in uncomplicated cases