Abstract: Objective To compare the effects and security of flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy on upper ureteric calculi.Methods A total of 180 cases of upper ureteric calculi were selected from June 2015 to June 2017.Among them,90 cases were given flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy with holmium laser as flexible ureteroscope group,and the rest 90 cases were given mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy with holmium laser as mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy group.The two groups were compared in operation time,blood loss volume during operation,stone clearance rate,postoperative hospital stay,BCS comfort score,VAS pain score,C reaction protein (CRP),white blood cell (WBC) count,and complications.Results There was no puncture failure or flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy failure cases in the two groups,and 3-6 d after operation,the positions of double J stents were normal.There was no significant difference in operation time,stone clearance rate,and WBC count between the two groups (P>0.05).In the flexible ureteroscope group,the blood loss volume during operation,postoperative hospital stay,VAS pain score,and CRP were lower,and the BCS comfort score was higher than those in the mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy group,with significant differences (P<0.01).Two cases had fever in the flexible ureteroscope group and no conversions to open surgery.No serious complication was found in the mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy group.Conclusion Compared with mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy,flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy could bring more comfort,safety,and definite therapeutic effect for patients with upper ureteric calculi.

Key words: Flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy, Holmium laser, Mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy, Upper ureteric calculi