Upper Ureteral Stone Treatment: Effectiveness and Complications of Holmium Laser and Pneumatic Lithotripsy

Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare the success and the effects on the complications of the Holmium:YAG (Hol:YAG) Laser and pneumatic lithotripsy applications done by using ureterorenoscope for the treatment of upper ureter stones. Material And Method: 249 patients who were applied ureterorenoscopy due to the upper ureter stones between October 2011 and February 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. 114 patients were included in the study. Patients were evaluated about the gender, age, stone localization, stone size, ureter catheterization, stone migration, residual stone, duration of the operation, complication, previous ESWL application and hospitalization period. Patients who were applied Hol:YAG laser were grouped as Group 1 and patients who were applied pneumatic lithotripsy were grouped as Group 2. Results: There were 60 patients (52.63%) in Group 1 and 54 patients (47.36%) in Group 2.Stone sizes were 8,21±2,40 mm in Group 1 and 8,68±1,70 mm in Group 2. It was detected that 53 patients (88.33%) of the Group 1 were stone-free while there was residual stone (5 case migration) in 7 patients (11.66%). On the other hand, in Group 2, 41 patients (75.92%) were stone-free and there was residual stone (11 case migration) in 13 patients (24.07%). We did not detect any difference in terms of the ureter catheterization, stone migration, residual stone, operation duration, complication, previous ESWL application and hospitalization period between the groups. Discussion: Any statistically significant difference between the laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of upper ureter stones could not be foundon success and the effects on the complications