Ureteroscopic treatment of renal calculi.

Although ureteroscopic treatment of renal calculi is safe and effective. it is relatively inefficient compared with ESWL and PCNL. It should be considered primary therapy for patients with lower pole stones who have adverse ESWL characteristics and patients who are not suitable candidates for PCNL. There are also numerous clinical situations, as outlined previously, where the ureteroscopic approach is favored over other treatment modalities.