Efficacy and Safety of Emergency Ureteroscopic Management of Ureteral Calculi

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ureteroscopic management of ureteral stones immediately after a first colic attack. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 226 patients with obstructive ureteral stones who underwent ureteroscopy with stone retrieval. The 67 patients in group A underwent ureteroscopy within 48 hours of admission to our emergency department, whereas the 159 patients in group B underwent ureteroscopy more than 48 hours after admission. The chi-square test was used to evaluate and compare stone-free status, auxiliary procedures, and complications and the Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: Mean stone sizes in groups A and B were 2.41+/-1.62 mm and 4.11+/-2.64 mm, respectively. No patient experienced a major complication during or after the procedure. Stone-free rates were 89.55% and 89.93%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency ureteroscopy in cases of obstructive ureteral stones is both safe and effective and offers the advantages of immediate stone fragmentation and the relief of acute-onset colic pain.