International Journal of Clinical Research

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy combined with negative pressure aspiration ureteral access sheath in the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi. Methods The clinical data of 86 patients with upper urinary tract calculi (from January 2022 to January 2025) were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 43 cases were treated with flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy combined with negative pressure aspiration ureteral access sheath (double-channel group), and the other 43 cases were treated with flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy combined with conventional ureteral access sheath (single-channel group). Results Compared with the single-channel group, the double-channel group had shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay, and a higher postoperative stone-free rate (95.35% vs. 81.40%), with significant differences (P < 0.05). The levels of WBC and CRP in both groups were significantly increased 24 hours after the operation compared with those before the operation (P < 0.05), but the levels of these indicators in the double-channel group were significantly lower than those in the single-channel group (P < 0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications in the double-channel group was significantly lower than that in the single-channel group (4.65% vs. 18.60%, P < 0.05). Conclusion Flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy combined with negative pressure aspiration ureteral access sheath (double-channel) in the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi can shorten the operation and hospital stay, increase the postoperative stone-free rate, reduce postoperative inflammatory response, and lower the incidence of complications, with better clinical efficacy and safety.

Upper urinary tract calculi; Flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy; Negative pressure aspiration ureteral access sheath; Double-channel; Single-channel