Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Ureteroscopic to Percutaneous Removal for the 1-2 cm Calculus Measuring Quality of Life as the Primary Outcome

Under general anesthesia, the patient is placed in the lithotomy position. All procedures are performed under direct videoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. Fluoroscopic screening is utilized using a mobile multidirectional C-arm fluoroscopy unit. A safety guide-wire is then placed into renal pelvis, followed by a ureteral access sheath to maintain low intra-renal pressure, and to facilitate the procedures. Using flexible ureteroscope, renal or proximal ureteral stone is identified and fragmented with a holmium laser. Basket extraction of residual fragments is done until visual complete clearance of stone fragments is achieved.

Under general anesthesia, an open-ended 5 french ureteral exchange catheter is placed into the ipsilateral ureter under cystoscopic guidance. The patient is then safely turned and secured in the prone position. Percutaneous renal access is obtained under ultrasonographic or fluoroscopic guidance. Either a 24 or 30 french sheath is advanced in the kidney and nephroscopy is performed with a rigid offset nephroscope. Stone fragmentation is accomplished using a dual CyberWand lithotripter or holmium laser lithotripsy. Flexible nephroscopy is performed to look for possible residual fragments and basket extraction is done for complete clearance of stone.