Safety and efficacy of electrohydraulic lithotripsy by ureteroscopy.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy, when performed blindly for ureteral calculi in the past, resulted in frequent ureteral perforation and, therefore, it was considered to be unsafe. A total of 33 patients from 5 institutions underwent electrohydraulic lithotripsy for ureteral calculi under direct vision. There were only 3 minor ureteral perforations treated by ureteral catheter drainage. All patients were free of stones after treatment and there were no long-term complications. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy by ureteroscopy is considered to be a safe and effective method for fragmentation and removal of large ureteral calculi.