Comparative study between the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy with pneumatic lithotripsy for treatment of distal ureteric calculi

Abstract EN

The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) are compared for the treatment of distal ureteral calculi with respect to patient satisfaction and efficacy.

This is a prospective study where a total of 85 patients with solitary radiopaque distal ureteral calculi were treated with ESWL (n = 55) using Siemens lithotripter (Electromagnetic lithotripter ) or URS (n = 30).

Patient and stone characteristics, treatment parameters, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction were assessed for each group.

The two groups were comparable in regard to patient age, sex and stone size.

The stone-free status for ESWL and URS at 3 months was 76.3% and 97.5%, respectively (p<0.0001).

No ureteral perforation or stricture occurred in the URS group.

Patient satisfaction was high for both groups including 90% for URS and 80% for ESWL (p = 0.002).

In conclusion, URS is more effective than ESWL for the treatment of distal ureteral calculi.

ESWL was more often performed on an outpatient basis and showed a trend towards less flank pain and dysuria, fewer complications and quicker convalescence.

Patient satisfaction was significantly higher for URS according to the questionnaire used in this study.