Real life retrograde flexible ureterorenoscopy versus extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in pyelocaliceal stones under 20 mm

The aim of our study was to highlight groups of patients with single pyelocal iceal stones less than 20 mm in whom flexible retrograde ureterorenoscopy (FURS) or extr acorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) are superior in terms of stone-free rate and complications.Materials and methods: We formed two groups of patients, consisting of patients with single kidney stones under 20 mm in whom FURS was applied (the study group) and another in whom ESWL was performed (the control group).We compared the profile of the patients, the presence of double-J catheters before the procedure, the stone-free rate and the occurrence of complications.Results: Patients in the study group were older (p<0.001), had larger stones (p<0.001) and were more likely to have concomitant diseases (p<0.001).The stone-free rate in patients with stones up to 10 mm was similar in both groups (81.25% vs 78.94%, p=0.777), while for stones between 11 and 19 mm the stone-free rate was higher in the study group (77.77% vs 45.45%, p=0.008).The rate of complications was similar in both groups (p=0.555).Conclusions: FURS has superior efficacy compared to ESWL in patients with single kidney stones between 11 and 19 mm and similar efficacy in patients with single kidney stones up to 10 mm.The complication rate is low and similar in both groups.