Modern Methods of Treatment for Proximal Ureterolithiasis

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a disease characterized by the formation of stones in the urinary tract. According to statistics, SCC causes about 30% of hospitalizations in the urology department. Treatment of SCC is divided into conservative and operative. The choice of method depends on age, clinical course of the disease, general condition of the patient, anatomical and functional condition of the kidneys and the size of the localization of the calculus. Methods of treatment of SC have changed significantly in recent years. Due to the technical achievements of the method of open ureterolithotomy, which was once the standard method of treatment of so-called «complicated» concretions of the ureter, evolved into a laparoscopic ureterolithotomy, and with the advent of ultrasonic and laser lithotriptors – began the newest era of minimally invasive urology– extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and endourology: antegrade percutaneous ureterolithotripsy, retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy and flexible retrograde uretherolithotripsy (FURS). The purpose of the work – on the basis of scientific literature to assess the effectiveness, safety and profitability of modern methods of surgical treatment for proximal ureterolithiasis. During the scientific research, attention was paid to the following parameters: stone free rate (SFR), postoperative pain level, need for painkillers, number of postoperative bed-days, presence of postoperative fever, hemoglobin level, need for blood transfusion, and on the economic component during the implementation of a technique. The principles of treatment of patients with large proximal ureterolithiasis are described in the clinical guidelines of the European and American Associations of Urologists. However, for example, which of the 3 proposed methods of treatment of large proximal ureterolithiasis to choose – there is no consensus from the world urological community. Percutaneous antegrade ureterolithotripsy is the preferred method of choice in patients with large proximal ureteral stones that cannot be removed by contact or extracorporeal ureterolithotripsy, characterized by a high level of absence of stones and minimal complications, optimal post operative and high indicators of economic attractiveness of this technique.