Abstract:Objective?To investigate the safety and efficacy of flexible ureteroscope and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy in treatment of upper ureteral calculi.?Methods?From December, 2012 to December, 2014, 60 patients with upper ureteral calculi were selected as study objects. According to the order of admission, the patients were divided into odd groups and even groups. Odd group (A group) was treated with flexible ureteroscope holmium laser lithotripsy while even group (B group) was treated with minimally percutaneous nephrolithotomy holmium laser lithotripsy. 28 patients with right upper ureteral calculi and the other 32 patients with left upper ureteral calculi. The average diameter of calculi was (1.50 ± 0.25) cm. Then the operation time, intraoperative bleeding volumes, the stone clearance rate and complcations were compared.?Results?In comparion of flexible ureteroscope group and the percutaneous nephrolithotomy group, the average operation time was (86.50 ± 12.81) min for flexible ureteroscope, and (81.83 ± 12.76) min for Micro channel percutaneous nephrolithotomy, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). The average amount of bleeding was (2.20 ± 0.58) ml for flexible ureteroscope, and (12.53 ± 2.12) ml for minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The amount of bleeding of flexible ureteroscope group was significantly lower than that of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy, the difference has statistical significance (P < 0.05). After operation, stone clearance rate was 90.00 % (27/30) in flexible ureteroscope group, and 96.67 % (29/30) in minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy group. After 1 month, stone clearance rate was 100.00 % (30/30) in flexible ureteroscope group, and 100.00 % (30/30) in minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy group. There was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). There were no severe perioperative complications such as severe hemorrhage, ureteral perforation or septicemia occured.?Conclusions?The flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy was more simple and safe, more curative effect and less trauma than minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy in treatment of ureteral calculi. It could be a better alternative surgical method and be desirable to be further popularized for treating upper ureteral calculi.