Cost-effective analysis of pneumatic and laser lithotripsy techniques in ureteral stones

Objective: Ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) is a commontreatment alternative in ureteral stones. We aimedto evaluate pneumatic and laser lithotripsy techniques,which are used for fragmentation of stones.Materials and methods: The data of 100 patients whounderwent URSL by using pneumatic and laser lithotriptorswere analyzed. The sample divided in 2 groups, eachincluding 50 patients. URSL was performed in lithotomyposition under general anesthesia. The absence of residualstone at second week urinary system graphy wasaccepted as the criteria of success. We evaluated thepresence of differences in terms of efficiency and costeffectivityof pneumatic and laser lithotripsy techniques.Results: The mean ages were 42 and 45 years, respectively.The mean operation time was 43.1 min in pneumaticgroup and 40 min in laser group. Stone-free rates werefound 93.9% and 78%, respectively. The stone migrationrate was determined 16% in pneumatic group and 4.1% inlaser group. Complication rates were 4.1% in pneumaticgroup and 8% in laser group. The cost analysis showedthat pneumatic lithotriptor device cost 10000 TL and laserlithotriptor system cost 76000 TL. Nevertheless, the SocialSecurity Administration paid the same cost for bothlithotripsy techniques.Conclusion: Higher stone-free and lower stone migrationrates were determined in laser lithotripsy application.Therefore, low incidence of the requirement of subsequentsecondary treatments for residual stones in lasertreatment decreased the treatment costs. Nevertheless,the cost is significantly higher in laser technique. It requiresmore detailed studies.Key words: Ureteral stone, ureteroscopy, lithotripsy, efficiency,cost