Comparison of Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Ureteroscopy as a Primary Therapy for Lower Ureteral Calculi / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Controversy continues over the initial approach to lower ureteral calculi; in situ shock wave lithotripsy(SWL) versus ureteroscopy(URS). We compared the efficacy and the safety of each procedure to help determine which is more appropriate as initial management for lower ureteral calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 1996 through August 1997, 70 patients had been treated at our department for lower ureteral stones. 35 patients underwent URS and 35 patients underwent SWL with SDS-3000. We retrospectively reviewed success rate of stone removal, complication rate, anesthesia and hospitalization. RESULTS: Patient age and stone size were similar in two groups. Stone free rates were 94.3% for URS, 57.1% after 1 session and 77.1% after 3 sessions of SWL. 2 cases of ureteral injuries were developed in URS group while there was no complication in SWL group. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding our results, SWL is safer than URS, but has lower stone free rate than URS. Although URS is more invasive procedure with higher complication rate, it has higher stone free rate. URS is indicated especially in patients who want to become stone-free as soon as possible.