[Initial experience of first 225 flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy in a primary care hospital]. / Expérience initiale de 225 premiers cas d'urétéroscopie souple laser dans un centre hospitalier périphérique.

INTRODUCTION: During the last decade, the advent of flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy has revolutionized the management of upper urinary tract stones. Our center is a primary care hospital that is equipped with this technology since January 2011. This study reported our initial experience of first 225 cases. MATERIEL AND METHODS: This study is a descriptive, retrospective and monocentric analysis. The first 225 cases, operated consecutively by 3 surgeons during 26 months, were analyzed. We have used 2 flexible ureteroscopes (1 digital, 1 optical). Laser source was an Holmium laser (Stonelight) at a power of 5 watts. RESULTS: The mean age was 53 years (± 10.2) and the mean stones size was 11 mm (2.3). In 49% of cases, ureteroscopy was chosen for the first, without prior treatment. In 59% of cases, ureteroscopy was used after failure of other treatment (ESWL in 70% of cases). The mean operative time was 72 minutes (± 16.6) and the mean length of stay was 2.6 days (± 0.8). The first session of ureteroscopy was a success in 93% of cases without residual fragments after 1 month. The frequency of postoperative complications was estimated at 8% (Clavien I and II). CONCLUSION: Flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy was a safe and effective technique, allowing the treatment of all upper urinary tract stones, especially on failure of other treatment. Its place in the first intention is widespread in our exercise, especially among obese patients, patients on anticoagulant therapy or with stone of the lower pole.

[Percutaneous nephrolithotomy after failure of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. Indications, results, perspectives]. / Néphrolithotomie per-cutanée après échec de lithotritie extra-corporelle par ondes de choc. Indications, résultats, perspectives.

Eighty-one of the 579 extracorporeal lithotripsies (ECL) performed between 1987 and 1992 with an ultrasound-guided hydroelectric lithotriptor required the use of another treatment modality. 53 percutaneous nephrolithotomies (PCNL) were performed in these 81 patients after failure of ECL (21 for non-fragmentation, 32 for residual fragments). The authors analyse the factors responsible for failure in order to select the more appropriate type of treatment for different types of stones. The site of the stones, their size, their radiographic appearance, their chemical composition, the number of ECL sessions and the number of days spent in hospital were compared between the PCNL and ECL groups. Smooth, homogeneous stones denser than bone and larger than 15 mm in diameter were significantly more resistant to ECL, despite an increased number of shock waves. PCNL was successful in 92% of cases of non-fragmented stones (with no residual fragments). The success rate for multiple residual fragments was 64%. In view of the risk of complications associated with residual fragments, regardless of their size, the potential risks of ECL and cost imperatives, the authors recommend that these stones, considered to be resistant, should be treated immediately by PCNL, as the results of PCNL after ECL are less satisfactory.