[Use of a polymeric gel to prevent retropulsion during intracorporeal lithotripsy].

INTRODUCTION Stone retropulsion during ureteroscopic lithotripsy may lead to additional procedures needed for residual calculi. Several devices have been introduced in an attempt to reduce retropulsion. We set out to report our initial experience utilizing the new polymeric gel, BackStop. MATERIAL AND METHODS We prospectively collected data on 7 ureteroscopy procedures with distal ureteral calculi treated with BackStop. Perioperative data including stone size, location, operative time, stone free rate, the presence or absence of retropulsion was collected. Success was defined as no residual fragments, no retropulsion, and no additional procedures required. RESULTS All of the patients were rendered stone free after URS and no retropulsion occurred. There were no intraoperative complications nor gel migration or problems with dissolving the gel. CONCLUSIONS BackStop is a new promising therapy to prevent retropulsion during ureteral intracorporeal lithotripsy. It is safe, easy to apply and very effective in preventing stone fragment migration. BackStop has the potential to reduce operative time.