Urolithiasis and intracorporeal lithotripsy in 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the indications and complications of intracorporeal lithotripsy in our institution. METHODS: Retrospective study carried out at the urology unit of the 37 Military Hospital between 2012–2015. 42 patients had intracorporeal lithotripsy out of 359 patients who had surgery within the period. Records of all patients who had intracorporeal lithotripsy between December 2012 to December 2015 were collected and analysed. An endourology log sheet was used to record data of patient's name, age, sex, indication for operation, location of stone, intraoperative complications, type of instruments/materials used, stone analysis and follow-up dates. All patients between the ages of six months to seventy years presenting with urinary stones diseases within the period were included, whilst patients with urinary stone disease who were managed with open surgery were excluded. Ethical clearance was obtained from the 37 Military Hospital institutional review board RESULTS: Lithotripsy constituted 42/359(11.7%) of the methods used in the surgical cases done within the period. The commonest age of presentation was between 31–40 years (26.2%), with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The commonest indications for lithotripsy were pain (92.8%) and hydronephrosis (61.9%). Ureteric stones are more common (50%), followed by renal stones (45%) with the commonest site being the proximal ureter. The commonest procedure was ureteroscopy. Ureteral mucosal injury (5/43) (11.62%), was the commonest intraoperative complication. Postoperative complications were reno-cutaneous fistula (1/43) (2.32%), severe bleeding (1/43) (2.32%) haematuria (4/43) (9.30%). CONCLUSION: Pain was the commonest indication for intra-corporeal lithotripsy (92.8%) and also the commonest post-operative complication (9.30%). FUNDING: None declared