Objectives: To assess the efficacy and complications of ureteroscopic litho
tripsy (URS) using semirigid ureteroscopes. Methods: We retrospectively ana
lyzed the records of 1,082 consecutive patients with ureteral stones who we
re treated with URS with or without auxiliary extracorporeal shock wave lit
hotripsy for stone fragments. The efficacy was estimated using the stone-fr
ee rate and efficiency quotient (EO). Results: The stone-free rates were 79
.0, 90.4 and 93.2% for upper, middle and lower ureteral stones, respectivel
y. The EO was 0.49 for upper, 0.79 for middle and 0.87 for lower ureteral s
tones. Ureteral perforation occurred in 54 cases (5.0%), of which 13 cases
(1.2%) required nephrostomy (n = 11, 1.0%) or open surgery (n = 2, 0.2%). C
onclusions: URS is a reasonable procedure with minor complications for ston
es located in the lower and middle ureter, but cannot be recommended as a f
irst-line treatment for upper ureteral stones. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger
AG, Basel.