[Ureteral flushing]

Flushing back stones of the lumbar or iliac ureter towards the renal cavities by means of a catheter is now part of everyday practice. The ureteric flush-back technique is often easily performed when the appropriate equipment is used wisely. We used a 23 Ch cystoscope with a 5 degrees lens to work in the axis of the ureter and a 7 Ch catheter with a single orifice is advanced as far as the stone. In 30% of cases, the stone immediately ascends as far as the renal cavities due to ureteric distension. In the case of failure, rapid injections of physiological saline with a syringe are successful in 40% of cases. In 10% of cases, success depends on progressive hydraulic distension of the ureter above the stone following injection of physiological saline.