Use of a prototype 3F electrohydraulic electrode with ureteroscopy for treatment of ureteral calculous disease.

A 3F electrohydraulic electrode was used with flexible ureteroscopy to treat upper urinary tract calculi in 18 patients. Of 21 procedures performed 10 involved retrograde passage of the ureteroscope and 11 consisted of antegrade procedures with percutaneous nephrostomy access. Complete fragmentation was achieved in 19 of the 21 procedures. In 1 patient bilateral renal caliceal diverticular calculi were treated with the electrohydraulic electrode used to open initially the diverticular orifice. Minor complications included retained stone fragments and small ureteral perforations. No serious complications resulted from the lithotripsy and no patient required an open operation. Flexible ureteroscopy, retrograde or antegrade, appears to offer access to upper tract stones not treated reliably with rigid ureteroscopy. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy with this small 3F probe appears to be a safe and effective means to treat upper urinary tract stones.