In the treatment of proximal ureteral calculi, compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, pneumatic lithotripsy and laser lithotripsy methods

SUMMARYHowever ESWL is the common method that is used by the urologists for ureteric stones, standard treatment is still a popular issue. But in the last decade with the development of technology and experience of urologists, ureteroscopic procedures become safer and has become almost first step for treatment in many centers. As known, the main goal of the treatment of urinary tract stones is ensuring the extraction of all stones with less morbidity. In the present study, we aimed to compare the success and reliability of ESWL, PL and LL methods. Our study has created with examining of patients retrospective datas whom treated by below methods between June 2009 and June 2012, because of upper ureteral stone and for each methods 50 patients were selected randomly. Among the groups there was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, gender, location and size of the stone. Compared to the duration of operation, the LL group was found to be longer than others (p<0.05). For stones less than 10 mm, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of results (p> 0.05). For stones larger than 10 mm, the LL method was statistically different in terms of stone-free rate than the other groups (p<0.05). In comparison of the percentage of stones escape back, PL group was statistically significant (p<0.05). For stones that larger than 10 mm, 4% of patients whom treated with LL, 6% of patiens whom treated with PL and 10% of patients whom treated with ESWL required second intervention and in the terms of requiring a second intervention, statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p<0.05). Although the three methods in the upper ureteral stones safely usable, LL method has high stone-free rate, low complication rates and doesn?t require a second attempt, so it may be preferred due to the first method of treatment.