Abstract：Objective:To evaluate the curative effect of upper ureteral stones by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy vs. flexible ureteroscopy. Methods:Ninety-five patients with the upper ureteral stones were treated from January 2015 to January 2017, and divided into two groups (54 cases of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and 41 cases of flexible ureteroscopy), and comparison was made between the two groups. Results:One-time successful rate of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was 64.8%, which was significantly lower than that of flexible ureteroscopy (82.9%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. However, the operating time was longer and the expenses were greater in flexible ureteroscopy group than in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy group (P<0.05). Further, the two groups were compared according to the stone diameter (diameter of 1.5 cm or less and diameter more than 1.5 cm). No significant difference was found in one-time successful rate between the two groups when stone diameter was 1.5 cm or less. However, when stone diameter was more than 1.5 cm, there was significant difference in one-time successful rate between the two groups. Conclusions:Considering the cost, convenience and security, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can be used as a preferred treatment in the upper ureteral stones with diameter of 1.5 cm or less. And flexible ureteroscopy was better than extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the upper ureteral stones with diameter between 1.5 cm and 2.0 cm.
