Objective:

Comparing pneumatic and laser lithotripter complication rates according to the Modified Clavien classification in ureterorenoscopy (URS).

Material and Methods:

Records of 228 standard URS performed between January 2013 and October 2016, were evaluated retrospectively. All patients were evaluated with a detailed medical history form preoperatively. General examination was held and interrogated in terms of systemic disease. Patients’ preoperative blood count, serology, blood biochemistry and urine cultures were evaluated. 132 patients underwent laser, 96 patients underwent pneumatic lithotripter. Complications were compared according to the Modified Clavien classification.

Results:

No complication was seen in 48 of 72 patients who underwent laser lithotripter and 36 of 52 patients who underwent pneumatic lithotripter for distal ureter stone. Also no complication was seen in 38 of 60 patients who underwent laser lithotripter and 26 of 44 patients who underwent pneumatic lithotripter for proximal ureter stones. When all subgroups were included there was not any significant statistical difference seen between the two groups in terms of complication rates (p>0.05). Only in proximal ureter stone formers, degree of 3b complications were seen less in laser lithotripter group (p=0.03).

Conclusion:

No superiority was observed in terms of complications between laser and pneumatic lithotripsy methods when all subgroups were included according to Modified Clavien classification except degree 3b in the proximal ureter stones.

Keywords: laser lithotripter, modified clavien classification, pneumatic lithotripter, ureterolithiasis, ureterorenoscopy