Efficacy And Safety Of Antegrade Uretroscopic Lithotripsy Versus Retrograde Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy In The Treatment Of Upper Ureteric Stones Measuring > 10 mm In Maximum Dimension. A Randomized Comparative Study

Study included 100 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for having an upper urteric stone larger than 10 mm in maximum diameter from the level of pelviureteric junction to upper border of sacroiliac junction and aged ≥18 years. Stones were deemed impacted in case of lack of movement for 1 month on 2 computed tomography scans of urinary tract (CTUT) or non passage of guide wire and / or dye intraoperatively. Exclusion criteria were unresolved urinary tract infection, uncorrected coagulopathy, pregnancy, anatomical abnormalities of the urinary system as horse shoe kidney, pelvic ectopic kidney and ureteric strictures, severe orthopedic malformation hindering prone position or antegrade ureteric access as kyphosis and scoliosis, Pediatric age groups < 18 years, ureteric Stent in place, concurrent renal stones, bladder cancer, upper urothelial tumors or renal tumors. All patients signed an informed consent and were randomized by closed envelop method into 2 groups: group A included 50 patients treated by antegrade flexible URSL and group B included 50 patients treated by retrograde flexible URSL.

Preoperatively, all patients underwent evaluation by medical history, physical examination, laboratory work up including complete blood count (CBC), kidney functions test, liver functions test, hepatitis markers, coagulation profile, completer urine analysis and urine culture with sensitivity. All patients were subjected to imaging studies including pelvi-abdominal ultrasound, plain X-ray of urinary tract and CTUT. Postoperatively, all patient had CBC done a few hours after the procedure, monitored for vital signs and urine color. All patients were assessed for residual stone presence 3 weeks after procedure by CTUT. Stone free status was defined by absence of stone fragment of 4 mm or more in maximum diameter. The primary endpoint was stone free rate. Secondary endpoints were complications, operative time, fluoroscopy time, mean hemoglobin drop, hospital stay and need for auxiliary procedures.