Management of urolithiasis at Hawassa University Referral Hospital, Ethiopia: A retrospective, descriptive study

Abstract

Background: The lifetime incidence of urolithiasis ranges between 1% and 13% and varies by geographic location, race, age, occupation, and sex. There are various treatment options for urolithiasis. In high-income countries, most patients are treated with minimally invasive techniques, such as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous lithotripsy, and laparoscopy.

Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted at Hawassa University Referral Hospital, covering July 2017 through June 2018. All patients who underwent procedures to treat urolithiasis within the specified time frame were included, and those with incomplete data were excluded. Data were collected from patients’ charts using a structured data collection form.

Results: Of the 78 patients included in the analysis, 57 (73.1%) were male and 21 (26.9%) were female. The most common diagnosis at admission was nephrolithiasis (n=36, 46.2%), followed by concomitant renal and ureteric stones (n=19, 24.4%), vesicolithiasis (n=11, 14.1%), and other combinations (n=12, 15.4%). Hydronephrosis was among the major complications at presentation. Renal stone treatments included open pyelolithotomy (n=19, 24.3%), percutaneous lithotripsy (n=8, 10.3%), open nephrolithotomy (n=7, 9.0%). For ureteric stones, ureteroscopy (n=13, 16.7%), open ureterolithotomy (n=6, 7.7%), and stenting (n=3, 3.8%) were performed. Open cystolithotomy (n=8, 10.3%) and cystolitholapaxy (n=5, 6.4%) were performed for bladder stones. Nine patients (11.5%) underwent nephrectomy procedures after presenting with nonfunctioning kidneys and being diagnosed by intravenous urography.

Conclusions: Urolithiasis is among the major causes of renal disease, but treatment options are relatively limited and outdated in our setting.