Vacuum suction catheter semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy for impacted upper ureteral stones: randomised controlled trial

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of an upgraded integrated vacuum suction catheter in semi-rigid ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (VC-URSL) compared to traditional methods for treating impacted upper ureteral stones. Patients and Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 2022 to March 2024 at a single center, enrolling 95 patients aged 18 to 70 years with a single radiopaque impacted upper ureteral stone. Participants were randomized into two groups: the VC-URSL group used an integrated vacuum suction catheter featuring a stainless steel stabilizing tube and a narrowed distal end to prevent obstruction, while the T-URSL group underwent standard ureteroscopic lithotripsy without vacuum assistance. Both groups utilized a holmium-YAG laser under general anesthesia. Primary outcomes included operative time, stone-free rates on the first postoperative day and after one month, and complication rates, specifically fever and stone retropulsion. Results: The VC-URSL group achieved significantly shorter operative times (37.60 ± 3.87 mins vs. 46.21 ± 7.54 mins, p < 0.001) and higher initial stone-free rates (91.7% vs. 74.5%, p = 0.025) compared to T-URSL. Additionally, the VC-URSL group had fewer complications, with lower rates of fever (2.1% vs. 17.0%, p = 0.015) and stone retropulsion (6.3% vs. 21.3%, p = 0.033). Conclusions: VC-URSL offers a more effective, safer, and efficient alternative to T-URSL, enhancing outcomes while reducing complications. Further multicenter trials with larger populations are recommended for broader validation.