Inclusion criteria: ureteral stone greater than 6 mm in diameter, age ≥ 18 years, body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2, ureteral stone density < 1000 Hounsfield’s units (HU), and skin-to-stone distance 11 cm. Stones with a poor probability of spontaneous passage, chronic pain despite adequate analgesia, persistent obstruction or stone development, recurrent or first-time stone formers were both eligible, and urine cultures were negative.
Exclusion criteria: pregnancy; uncontrolled urinary tract infection; coagulopathy; arterial aneurysm in the vicinity of the stone; severe skeletal malformations, which prevent targeting of the stone; patients with JJ-stent/nephrostomy insertion before treatment for the resolution of urinary tract obstruction; multiple or bilateral ureteral stones; solitary kidney; anatomical obstruction distal to the stone or congenital genitourinary anomaly (such as horseshoe kidney or ileal conduit); transplanted kidney; renal insufficiency (elevated creatinine).
After counseling the patients about the benefits and drawbacks of SWL, the decision was made based on their preferences. After the patients gave their informed consent, it was carried out by senior, experienced doctors.
Exclusion criteria: pregnancy; uncontrolled urinary tract infection; coagulopathy; arterial aneurysm in the vicinity of the stone; severe skeletal malformations, which prevent targeting of the stone; patients with JJ-stent/nephrostomy insertion before treatment for the resolution of urinary tract obstruction; multiple or bilateral ureteral stones; solitary kidney; anatomical obstruction distal to the stone or congenital genitourinary anomaly (such as horseshoe kidney or ileal conduit); transplanted kidney; renal insufficiency (elevated creatinine).
After counseling the patients about the benefits and drawbacks of SWL, the decision was made based on their preferences. After the patients gave their informed consent, it was carried out by senior, experienced doctors.
