Urolithiasis Treatment in Australia: The Age of Ureteroscopic Intervention.

Abstract

The incidence of urolithiasis is increasing in the Western population. Significant advances in ureteroscopy and stone fragmentation energy sources have resulted in a paradigm shift in urolithiasis management. We aimed to assess the current state of urolithiasis management in Australia over the last 1years using population-based data. Medicare Australia databases were accessed and Medicare rebate codes pertaining to ureteroscopy, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) were extracted per state, year, and gender between 200and 2015. Population data were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics website and provided the "population at risk" denominator to calculate incidence proportions. From January 200to December 2015, 114,78ureteroscopy or pyeloscopy procedures for stone extraction in adult patients were performed in Australia. During the same period, 48,20SWL and 695PCNL procedures were performed. Ureteroscopy and pyeloscopy procedures have been increasing by an average of 9.3% year-on-year, population adjusted, while SWL has decreased by 3.5% and PCNL by 6.4% every year over the same period. In absolute terms, scope procedures have increased yearly by an average of 3.per 100,00of population (confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.2, 4.5), while SWL has changed by -0.7(95% CI: -0.88, -0.65) and PCNL by -0.1(95% CI: -0.17, -0.14). Over the past 1years in Australia, the total number of stone treatment procedures has increased significantly. Considerable increases in ureteroscopy were observed with relative and absolute reductions in SWL and PCNL. Regional variations in urolithiasis management strategies highlight the need for consensus on stone treatments within Australia.