Search

Background: The spectrum of urinary stone disease has changed considerably in India from the common childhood bladder stone to the more frequent upper tract calculi. We analysed the gravel retrieved from the upper urinary tract using X-ray diffraction analysis in an attempt to evaluate the composition of the stones., Methods: We analysed 434 upper urinary tract calculi from May 1993 to June 1994 obtained endourologically, as well as by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and open surgery. The stones were analysed using a Phillips compact X-ray diffractometer (PW1840). The PC-APD software was used for data collection and peak search. The phase matching was done by the software using the JCPDS reference database., Results: Oxalate stones comprised 97% of the total stones with calcium oxalate monohydrate forming 90% and calcium oxalate dihydrate and mixed stones forming the remainder. Struvite stones were found in 1.4%, while uric acid and apatite stones were less than 1%. There were no cystine calculi. Seventy per cent of calcium oxalate monohydrate and 40% of calcium oxalate dihydrate stones were pure. All the struvite and apatite calculi were almost pure. Only 15% of staghorns did not consist of oxalate. Nine of the ten stones in children were of the calcium oxalate monohydrate variety. The stone composition in females was similar to that in males., Conclusions: X-ray diffraction data indicate that urinary stone disease in north India is different from that in the western world. Calcium oxalate monohydrate stones predominate. These stones are hard to break and have a different metabolic origin from those consisting of calcium oxalate dihydrate. These findings might help in selecting the most appropriate method of treatment in north India and they indicate directions in which further metabolic studies might be planned.

Objectives: The outcome of treating impacted upper ureteral calculi by extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy was less satisfactory than antegrade litholapaxy in our earlier experience. During a four year period (October 1988 to September 1992) 86 reno-ureteral units with impacted upper ureteral calculi were treated by percutaneous litholapaxy. We review our methods and results of this accumulated experience., Methods: Moderate to severe proximal hydronephrosis on excretory urography or ultrasound was taken as evidence of impaction. Antegrade extraction was performed in a single stage, except in patients who presented with anuria, severe azotemia and urosepsis where the system was decompressed by initial nephrostomy drainage., Results: 86 impacted upper ureteral calculi in 80 patients were treated by the percutaneous antegrade approach. Eleven were in a solitary functioning unit; 33% presented with moderate to severe renal failure. The average stone size was 256 sq mm. Associated renal calculous disease was present in 22 ipsilateral and 28 contralateral units. Total clearance was achieved in 74 units (86%) by antegrade litholapaxy alone. Adjunct ESWL (5) and ureteroscopy (4) rendered 96% of the units free; 3 units with recurrent calculi were salvaged by ESWL (2) and ureterolithotomy (1). Complications encountered in 17 (20%) patients were fewer in 13 (16%), ureteric perforation in 7 (9%), hematuria in 6 (7%) and ureteric stricture 1 (1%). Hospital stay was 5 days in uncomplicated cases; prolongation of stay (average 8.8 days) was necessitated in staged procedures (sepsis, renal failure), treatment of the contralateral unit or due to postoperative morbidity. The majority of the stones (80%) were of the calcium oxalate monohydrate variety., Conclusion: It is concluded that failing a retrograde manipulation, percutaneous ureterolitholapaxy offers the best bet to clear large bulk impacted upper ureteral calculi.

A prospective study was undertaken to assess the feasibility and safety of bilateral simultaneous percutaneous nephrolithotomy (BPNL) under single anesthesia. BPNL was attempted in 16 consecutive patients with upper tract urolithiasis suitable for percutaneous treatment bilaterally. Bilateral simultaneous PNL could be accomplished in 14 of 16 cases; the opposite side was abandoned in 2 due to technical reasons. The operating sides could be switched within a short period (15 min) by rotating the patient table by 180 degrees. The average total operating time and irrigation time was 83 and 43 min, respectively. A total of 29 tracts and 18 sessions were required for endourologic treatment of 28 units in 14 patients. There was no significant morbidity. Complete clearance was achieved in 11 of 14 patients; there was insignificant residue in 1, while 2 with major residue required adjunct JJ stenting and extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy. The average hospital stay was 5.4 days. After initial proficiency with endourology, preparedness for BPNL is advisable in all such cases.

Whether all upper ureteral stones must be manipulated before extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL*) is an ongoing controversy. In a prospective trial, symptomatic patients with solitary upper ureteral calculi less than 1 year in duration were alternated between ESWL in situ and pre-ESWL stone manipulation. Pretreatment excretory urograms were assessed for stone size and degree of proximal hydroureteronephrosis, which was graded from zero (no dilatation) to 3 (severe dilatation). Stone manipulation was done with the patient under intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. A total of 4,000 shock waves was given in a single session using Siemens Lithostar Plus, and treatment was repeated on days 4, 15 and 30 if required. The patients were evaluated 3 months after onset of therapy with excretory urogram and urine culture. Seventy patients qualified for the study (group 1-35 in situ and group 2-35 stone manipulation) and were comparable in relation to age and sex, stone size and degree of hydronephrosis. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the number of sessions (group 1-1.86 +/- 1.2 and group 2-2.03 +/- 1.2) or shock wave requirement (group 1-5,705.8 +/- 3,536.9 and group 2-5,549.1 +/- 3,837.2) for stone fragmentation. The degree of proximal dilatation did not contribute significantly towards the outcome (F ratio 0.675, p = 0.57). A total of 30 patients (85.5%) in group 1 had a satisfactory outcome at 3 months, while 3 (8.5%) had significant residual calculi and 2 stones could not be fragmented. Of the manipulated stones 33 (94%) were successfully cleared, while 2 patients required auxiliary procedures. Ureteroscopy was required in 1 patient for upward migration of the stent. Morbidity in both groups was comparable. We conclude that upper ureteral stones should be treated in situ to avoid the morbidity of manipulation.

Despite the availability of lithotripsy and endourology, clear guidelines on the management of impacted upper ureteric calculi are lacking. In this study, 51 upper ureteric calculi treated with in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were classified according to the degree of impaction as indicated by proximal back pressure changes. Patients with mild proximal hydronephrosis (or none at all) had a success rate of 93% but only 35% of those in the impacted group (moderate to severe hydronephrosis) had a successful outcome. A percutaneous antegrade approach to 29 impacted upper ureteric calculi resulted in total clearance in 23 cases; 4 other patients were rendered stone-free following additional procedures, an overall success rate of 93%. The only complication was a ureteric stricture in 1 patient. We recommend the percutaneous approach in the management of impacted upper ureteric calculi.

Shock wave requirements for fragmentation and the ultimate outcome after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) with the Lithostar device were analyzed in 107 renal units with solitary ureteral calculi. In situ treatment was done in 54 stones without prior manipulation and in 15 after failure of endoscopic manipulation. A total of 25 ureteral calculi was treated after bypass with a ureteral catheter or stent and 13 after push back to the pelvicaliceal system. Shock wave requirement for fragmentation was significantly higher for calculi of 101 to 400 mm. X mm. when compared with the requirement for smaller calculi. Shock wave requirement was also significantly higher for patients with similar sized stones treated in the prone compared to the supine position. The average number of shock waves required for disintegration was not significantly different among in situ or any of the manipulation categories of similar sized stone populations. Over-all satisfactory clearance was achieved in 77.5% of the treated ureteral calculi. Clearance status was unaffected by size up to 400 mm. X mm. and the position of the patient during treatment (prone or supine). Clearance of ureteral stones treated in situ without prior manipulation (76.5%) was numerically inferior, although statistically insignificant, to that for successfully manipulated calculi (bypassed 88% and pushed back 92.3%) but it was significantly better than the outcome obtained after failed manipulation (46.2%). ESWL with the Lithostar device is a successful mode of treatment within the entire ureteral length, and a vigorous attempt at push back before lithotripsy is unnecessary.