Stone Clearance Rate of Intracorporeal Pneumatic Lithotripsy for Mid Ureteric Stone of Size 1–2 cm

Abstract

Background: Ureteric calculi are a prevalent cause of morbidity in urological practice, with mid-ureteric stones measuring 1–2 cm requiring effective and timely management to prevent obstruction, infection, and renal impairment. While extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and laser ureteroscopy are commonly employed, intracorporeal pneumatic lithotripsy remains a practical alternative in resource-limited settings, though regional data on its efficacy remain limited. Objective: To determine the frequency of stone clearance following ureterorenoscopic intracorporeal pneumatic lithotripsy in patients with mid-ureteric stones sized 1–2 cm. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Urology, MTI/LRH, Peshawar, from January to July 2024. A total of 183 patients aged 18–60 years with radiopaque mid-ureteric stones (1–2 cm) were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. All patients underwent standardized pneumatic lithotripsy, with stone clearance assessed by non-contrast CT-KUB at two weeks. Data on age, gender, BMI, laterality, and pain duration were collected and analyzed using SPSS v25; chi-square tests were applied for stratified comparisons. Results: The overall stone clearance rate was 80.3%. Higher clearance was observed in patients with lower BMI, shorter pain duration, male gender, and right-sided stones, although no associations reached statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Ureterorenoscopic pneumatic lithotripsy offers a high stone clearance rate for mid-ureteric stones measuring 1–2 cm and remains a valuable therapeutic option in settings with limited access to laser lithotripsy.