Single treatment success rate of different methods in treatment of ureteral calculi: A comparative study

Objective To investigate the treatment of ureteral calculi and select optimum modality between the methods in treatment of ureteral calculi by comparing the single treatment success rate. Methods Surgical procedure and prognosis of 114 outpatients and inpatients with ureteral calculi admitted to our hospital from September 2012 to September 2013 were retrospectively investigated and analyzed. Results Seventy-seven cases had accepted extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)(67.5%), 30 cases had accepted ureteroscopic lithotripsy (26.3%), 7 cases had accepted retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (6.2%). Their single treatment success rate was 64.9%, 84.3% and 100% respectively. There was statistical difference between ESWL and ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the single treatment success rate (P=0.042). Conclusion In view of single treatment success rate, it is suggested that ureteroscopic lithotripsy is the first choice and that indication for ESWL is suited for ureteral calculi with short duration, diameter< 1 cm and that laparoscopic ureterolithotomy as a minimally invasive mean is a necessary supplement for the two means mentioned above.