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Ureteroscopic lithotripsy using holmium laser for 187 patients with proximal ureteral stones Full Text
Chinese Medical Journal, 05/10/2012
Exclusive author commentary
Ding–yi L et al. – Ureteroscopic lithotripsy is a safe and efficacious treatment for proximal ureteral stones. A single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi–rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone–free rate in patients with proximal ureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level. However, patients with ureteral stones above the 4th lumbar vertebra level experienced higher stone–migration rate, which would decrease the success rate. Fortunately, the stone–free state could possibly be achieved with the aid of an N–trap basket and flexible ureteroscope.
SHEN Zhou-jun (05/12/2012) comments:
The balance between cost and benefit should be considered before treatment, especially in developing country. This study demonstrated that a single procedure of ureteroscopic lithotripsy using semi–rigid ureteroscope could achieve a satisfactory stone–free rate in patients withureteral stones below the 4th lumbar vertebra level, which indicated that stone basket and flexible ureteroscopy was not necessary.
