JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND ANALYTICAL MEDICINE, cilt.6, ss.826-829, 2015 (ESCI)
Aim: We aimed to compare the success rate of the use of a pneumatic and a holmium laser lithotripter for endoscopic treatment of upper ureteral calculi with semirigid uretero-renoscopy (URS). Material and Method: A total of 74 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups; a ballistic lithotripter was used for group 1 containing 33 and a Holmium-YAG laser lithotripter for the remaining 41 patients in group 2. Both groups were compared in terms of stone size the duration of the operation, postoperative hospitalization time, stone-free rate and complications. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.6. The mean stone size in groups 1 and 2 were 16.4mm and 11.0mm, respectively (p= 0.043). The mean stone-free rate groups 1 and 2 were 78.7% and 80.5% respectively at the approximately 1 month follow-up (p= 0.391). In group 1 two patients and in group 2 two patients had a minor complication (ClavienI-II). In group 1 three patients had major complications due to ureteral perforation (Clavien 3a and 3b). No major complications (Clavien III-V) occurred in Group 2. Discussion: Based on these findings laser lithotripsy can be regarded as safer. If laser lithotripter is available in medical centers, we argue that it should be the first choice for the treatment of upper ureteral stones.