Long-term results of transurethral lithotripsy with the rigid ureteroscope: injury of intramural ureter.

We treated 208 patients with ureteral calculi via transurethral lithotripsy using the rigid ureteroscope between March 1985 and April 1988. A total of 220 ureteroscopic procedures was performed in 217 ureters. Complete removal was achieved after 180 procedures (81.8%) and incomplete removal was achieved after 9 (4.1%). In 31 cases (14.1%) the stone could not be removed because of various reasons. Ureteral disruption was observed in 1 case (0.5%), which was treated successfully with reconstruction. Ureteral perforation occurred in 15 cases (6.8%) and was treated successfully except for 1 patient (0.5%) in whom ureteral stricture was observed requiring reconstruction. From long-term followup of sequential excretory urography and voiding cystography, mild stricture at the vesical end of the ureter was noted in 3 of 86 ureters (3.5%) and vesicoureteral reflux was noted in 7 of 73 (9.6%). These results indicate that the injury to the intramural ureter might arise from the passage of the ureteroscope resulting in stricture and vesicoureteral reflux.