THE USE OF URETERAL BALLOON PROBE IN URETERAL CALCULI LITHOTRITY
Abstract:
The study objective is to evaluate the use of balloon ureteral probes with the purpose of
blocking the migration of calculi fragments during ureteral lithotrity. We have evaluated the data of 110
patients who had retrograde ureteroscopy rigid ureteroscope and ultrasonic lithotrity for ureteral
calculi during 2006 -2010. In 46 patients lithotrity was applied without using balloon probes – group 1,
and group 2 with the use of the probe. The calculi size, time of intervention, success rate and intraoperation
complications were compared retrospectively for the two groups. The patient’s average age
was 34.4 in group 1, and 31.8 in group 2. The average calculi size was of 6.9, respectively 7.4 mm. The
average operation time was 65.3 minutes for group 1 and 52.5 minutes for group 2. The success rate
was 87.3%, 78,9 for group 1, and 96.8 for group 2, significantly higher for group 2. In both groups there
were two minor ureter perforations, solved during the same session. The balloon ureteral probe is a tool
useful not only for the widening of the ureteral lumen but also for preventing the ascending migration of
calculi fragments resulted during ureteral calculi lithotrity, insuring the stone-free state.
full text article in English (.EN) |