In Situ extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy as a primary treatment for ureteral stones.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as a primary treatment for ureteral calculi at different levels.

Materials And Methods: We treated 166 consecutive patients with solitary ureteral stones (73 at the upper, 4 at the middle, and 89 at the lower ureter) by primary in situ ESWL on an outpatient basis. A maximum of three treatments were give individually before adopting ureteroscopy as an alternative treatment.

Laparoscopic varicocelectomy for painful varicoceles: merits and outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic ligation as an option offered to patients with painful varicocele. Laparoscopy has been an established technique for varicocelectomy in infertile patients, but little objective data exist addressing its effectiveness in the control of pain.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed records of 68 patients who underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy for pain from March 1988 through March 2000.