We retrospectively reviewed the cases of ureteroscopic stone removal at our hospital from January, 1994 to August, 1999 and defined the efficiency and complications of ureteroscopic stone removal.

Ureteroscopic stone removal was in 255 cases of ureteral stone from January, 1994 to August, 1999. Patients were 142 males and 113 females, and mean age was 42.5 years. 20 stones were located in the upper ureter, 29 stone in the mid ureter, 206 stones in the lower ureter. The stone size was less than 5mm in 95 cases, from 5 to 10mm in 117 cases and more than 10mm in 43 cases. Ureteroscpic stone ramoval was performed with 7.5Fr, 9.5Fr rigid ureteroscope under general, spinal, and epidural anesthesia.

255 cases of ureteroscopic stone removal were performed and over all success rate of ureteroscopic stone removal was 97 percent. The success rates of upper, mid and lower ureteral stones were 85, 93 and 99 percent. According to the size, the success rate was 99 percent in stones less than 5mm, 98 percent in stones of 5 to 10mm and 90 percent in stones more than 10mm. There were 8 cases of complication and over all complication rate was 3.1 percent. Complications consisted of severe mucosal injury(3 cases), ureteral perforation(3 cases), gross hematuria(1 case), urinary tract infecion(1 case). Complications were treated successfully with conservative treatment except 1 case of severe mucosal injury that required ureteral reimplantaton.

Ureteroscopic stone removal could provide rapid resolution of obstruction and colic due to ureteral calculi with high seccess rate and minimal complications.