They used meta-analytic techniques to calculate overall stone free, retreatment and complication rates.
The analysis showed that for treatment of distal ureteral stones, semi-rigid ureteroscopy had a 55% greater probability of rendering the patient stone free at the initial assessment and was less likely to require retreatment compared with SWL. Both these treatment modalities had the same risk of complications. The proximal ureteral and renal stone reports were too small and had too great a degree of heterogeneity to allow for meaningful comparison. Therefore, there is a tremendous need for RCT to compare treatment options for proximal ureteral and renal stones of all sizes and compositions. We still have no clear directive to treat patients with renal and proximal ureteral calculi. We look to the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) to initiate multi-institutional research to help address these important clinical questions.
Presented by Brian R. Matlaga at the 29th World Congress of Endourology & SWL (WCE) - November 30 - December 3, 2011 - Kyoto International Conference Center - Kyoto, Japan
Reported for UroToday by Elspeth M. McDougall, M.D., FRCSC, MHPE, Professor of Urology, Department of Urology, University of California-Irvine Medical Center, Irvine, CA
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