Review or Ureteral Obstruction during ESWL Monotherapy without Ureteral Stenting for Staghorn Calculi

Min, Sung Gi; Min, Kweon Sik; Choi, Sung Hyup

Abstract

ESWL monotherapy has been considered a valid initial treatment for staghorn calculi. In an effort to reduce post-ESWL obstruction, many urologists place ureteral stents before ESWL. The use of ureteral stents has proved to contribute to successful stone passage and to reduce post- ESWL morbidity but there also have been reports of complications that might have been caused by indwelling ureteral stents. From January 1989 to December 1995, we reviewed 29 patients with ureteral obstruction after ESWL (EDAP LT-01 & 02) monotherapy without ureteral stenting in 47 patients with staghorn calculi. Ureteral obstruction was occurred in 29 patients (61.7%); 16 (55.2%) in the upper ureter, 11 (37.9%) in the lower ureter, and 2 (6.9%) in the mid-ureter. Steinstrasse was occurred in 13 patients (13/29, 44.8%); 8 (61.5%) in the lower ureter, 4 (30.7%) in the upper ureter, and 1 (7.7%) in the mid-ureter. Ureteral obstruction was occurred regardless of the size of the staghorn calculi(length, breadth, volume). The method of resolving ureteral obstruction was additional ESWL (21 patients, 72.4%), and auxillary procedures including PCN (4 patients, 13.8%), push up procedure (1 patient, 3.4%), push up & double J stenting (1 patient, 3.4%), and ureterolithotomy (2 patient, 6.9%). Mean number of session of ESWL resolving ureteral obstruction was 3.27. Overall complete stone-free rate of staghorn calculi was 55.3%(26 patients). Our results indicate that postoperative ureteral obstruction is easily relieved without major complication by additional ESWL or auxillary procedures. Therefore, ie believe that ESWL monotherapy without ureteral stenting may be adequate treatment modality of staghorn calculi.