Laparoscopic Ureterolithotomy

Laparoscopic Ureterolithotomy is performed to remove significant-sized ureter stones. This method is not the first-line treatment and is used when other methods are ineffective.

Compared to open surgical intervention, laparoscopic surgery has several undeniable advantages:

• mild postoperative pain syndrome;
• minimal invasiveness;
• slight blood loss;
• short hospital stay;
• quick return to normal life.

Indications for Surgery

Laparoscopic ureterolithotomy is indicated in the presence of one of the following factors:
ureter stones exceeding 1-1.5 cm in size, with high density;
ineffectiveness of other treatment methods (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, contact ureterolithotripsy);
prolonged presence of a stone in the lumen of the ureter.

Conducting the Surgery

Ureterolithotomy is performed under general anesthesia.
On the anterior abdominal wall (or on the lateral abdominal wall in the case of retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy), 3-4 small incisions of about 1 cm in diameter are made, through which a laparoscope and surgical instruments are introduced into the abdominal cavity. The ureter wall is incised at the level of the stone, which is removed and placed in a special bag. After all stones are removed, the bag is taken out of the abdominal cavity through one of the incisions, which is specially enlarged for this purpose. The ureter wall is sutured. A drain is placed to ensure the outflow of fluid and blood. After this, the instruments are removed, and the incisions are sutured. Typically, a urethral catheter is placed to drain urine.

The patient is discharged from the hospital on the 3rd to 4th day after the surgery. Generally, a return to normal life occurs within 2 weeks.