A new position utilizing the effect of gravity in proximal ureteral stones, ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the reverse Trendelenburg position: a prospective, randomized, comparative study

Purpose To evaluate the effect of the reverse Trendelenburg position in patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureteral stones. Methods The study included 167 patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy for proximal ureter stones between December 2020 and September 2022. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard lithotomy ( n :55), 10° reverse Trendelenburg ( n :55), and 20° reverse Trendelenburg ( n :57). Preoperative information, including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), previous shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), stone side, volume, and density, distance to the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) of the stone, and hydronephrosis degree. Stone-free status was evaluated with computed tomography (CT) at 4 weeks postoperatively. The groups were compared in respect of stone migration, stone-free rate, use of flexible ureterorenoscope, operating time, postoperative length of stay in the hospital, and complications. Results No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups with respect to age, sex, BMI, previous SWL, stone side, volume and density, distance to the UPJ of the stone, and hydronephrosis degree ( p > 0.05 for all). Statistically significant differences were determined between the groups with respect to stone migration ( p = 0.001), stone-free rate ( p