[Ureteroscopy Versus in Situ Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy in the Treatment of Calculi of the Distal Ureter]

In a retrospective study from a unique center (St. Luc Hospital, Montreal) stone clearance of 88 consecutive distal ureteral calculi (below pelvic brim) treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in situ were compared to a group of 94 distal ureteral calculi treated by ureteroscopy during the same period. Our results show 84% success rate for ureteroscopy which is clearly superior than 58% stone clearance rate at 3 month follow-up for ESWL Success rate was influenced by stone size in the ESWL group but not in the ureteroscopy group. This study reveals similar success rate for calculi smaller than 6 mm but for larger calculi, success rate of ureteroscopy is significantly superior.