Abstract:Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscopy combined with holmium laser lithotripsy in treatment of renal and upper ureteral calculi in grass-roots hospitals.Methods From May 2018 to November 2021, a total of 485 patients with renal or upper ureteral calculi underwent flexible ureteroscopy combined with holmium laser lithotripsy. The maximum stone diameter ranged 9 ~ 40 mm, the average was (18.23 ± 3.51) mm. Kidney ureter bladder position (KUB), intravenous pyelography (IVP) and CT plain scan were performed before operation to evaluate the indications. During the operation, the affected ureter was explored by rigid ureteroscopy, the guide wire was indwelling and the guide sheath of flexible ureteroscopy was placed. The flexible ureteroscopy entered the upper ureter and renal pelvis. If it was upper ureteral calculi, it was pushed into intrarenal lithotripsy and connected for 200 μm holmium laser fiber, adopted the powdered mode of lithotripsy. Finally, the slightly larger stone fragments were took out with a stone extractor, and double J stent along the guide wire was retained after the operation. The next day after operation, KUB or CT should be rechecked according to the situation to determine the position of double J stent and stone crushing. Double J stent should be removed after 2~4 weeks. B-ultrasound and KUB should be rechecked 1 and 3 months after operation. If necessary, CT plain scan should be performed to evaluate the effect of lithotripsy.Results 484 ureteroscopes were successfully placed, with a success rate of 99.8% (484/485). The success rate of lithotripsy was 93.2% (451/484), the stone free rate one month after operation was 87.4% (423/484), and the stone free rate three months after operation was 90.9% (440/484). The operation time was 26 ~ 120 min, the average was (72.31 ± 28.64) min. The postoperative hospital stay was 2 ~ 7 d, the average was (2.31 ± 0.76) d. The operative complications included 15 cases of fever, 6 cases of urogenic sepsis, 2 cases of active bleeding at the ureteral orifice, 1 case of perforated urinary extravasation and 1 case of steinstrasse. The total complication rate was 5.2%. All patients with complications were cured and discharged without serious consequences.Conclusion Flexible ureteroscopy combined with holmium laser lithotripsy in grass-roots hospitals is effective and safe in the treatment of renal and upper ureteral calculi.