Single-session ureteroscopic pneumatic lithotripsy for the management of bilateral ureteric stones

purpose: in nowadays there is no consensus on single-session ureteroscopic lithotripsy (ursl) for the management of bilateral ureteric stones. the aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of single-session ursl in patients with bilateral ureteric stones. materials and methods: 41 patients who have undergone bilateral single-session ursl were evaluted in this study. a 8/9.8 fr wolf semi-rigid ureteroscope was used for the procedures, and the stones were fragmented with pneumatic lithotripter. results: a high stone-free rate was achieved (90.2%) after single endoscopic procedure with a retreatment rate of 9.8%. the procedure was most successful for distal ureteric stones with a 96.2% stone-free rate followed by middle ureteric stones with a 81.8% stone-free rate while the least success was achieved for proximal ureteric stones with a 77.7% stone-free rate (p < 0.05). a greater stone-free rate was obtained in those with stones less than 10 mm (93.7%) than in those with stones larger than 10 mm (77.7%) (p < 0.05). ureteral perforation occurred in only one patient (2.4 %). no long-term complication was observed in any patient. conclusions: bilateral single-session ursl can be performed effectively and safely with a low complication rate in patients with bilateral ureteric stones. it can reduce the need of anaesthetics and hospital stay.