Complications of ureteroscopic stone removal

Kim, Young Hack; Kwon, Chil Hun

Abstract

We performed 113 ureteroscopies for stone removal in 110 patients between August 1989 and March 1992. The stones were removed successfully in 107 cases(94.7%) and complications occurred in l6 cases ( 14.2%). In 6 cases, we failed to remove ureteral stones due to inability to introduce ureteroscope at UVJ (one case). severe angulation of ureter (2 cases), inadequate illumination due to bleeding (one case) and upward migration of stones (2 cases). Complications consisted of tearing or ureteral mucosa (5 cases), ureteral perforation (5 cases), fever (2 cases). gross hematuria (2 cases) and infection (2 cases). There was no evidence of ureteral stricture on excretory urograms of 52 patients taken at 3 months postoperatively. Complication rate decreased according to accumulation or experience and it had no correlation with stone site or location. All complications were treated successfully with conservative measures. We conclude that ureteroscopic stone removal is a safe and effective method for treatment of mid-and lower ureteral stones.