Patient's question:
Is it effective to perform extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on a 13 mm upper ureteral calculus?Doctor's answer:
Make an intravenous pyelogram as soon as possible to determine the specific size and density of the stone, i.e., whether it has already fragmented. If there is a tendency for fragmentation, consider extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL); if not, then based on the location of the stone, the following treatment measures can be chosen:Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: The stone is near the renal pelvis-ureteral junction, and can be directly targeted through a puncture in the upper renal calyx.
Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy: Puncturing the upper renal calyx is not suitable due to the angle, and the stone is intact without a fragmentation tendency.
Ureteroscopic lithotripsy: The stone is relatively lower in position and has a fragmentation tendency.