Efficacy Management of Urolithiasis: Flexible Ureteroscopy versus Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of flexible ureterscopy (fURS) and extracorporal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in the treatment of urolithiasis, complemented by a subgroup analysis of lower pole calyx.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients treated by fURS or SWL was performed by independent variables such as gender, age, nephrolith size, double-J stent (DJ stent) and stone localisation.

Results: Out of 326 patients, 165 were treated by SWL and 161 by fURS.

Stones of the upper urinary tract. Update on minimal-invasive endourological treatment.

So far extracorporal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is the treatment of choice for upper urinary tract stones. Since the introduction of new minimal-invasive endourological procedures, such as retrograde flexible uretero-renoscopy (fURS) and minimal-invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Mini-Perc), alternative treatment modalities are available, which show enhanced stone-free rates and decreased treatment morbidity even in unfavorable stone localizations of the lower calix and calyceal diverticulum stones. In experienced hands modern endourological approaches are suitable as first-line treatment of upper urinary tract stones.