Schulz C, Becker B, Netsch C, et al. - Comparing ureteroscopy (URS), extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for urolithiasis, findings revealed fewer re-interventions, fewer sick leave days, and lower healthcare costs for URS cases. Only in terms of complications, SWL was superior. This emphasizes URS as the most frequent treatment option.

• In this retrospective cohort study based on German health insurance claims data, a total of 164,203 urolithiasis cases were analyzed.

• Relative to URS cases, SWL and PCNL were found to have fewer 30-day complications, time to re-intervention within 12 months was reduced for SWL and PCNL, SWL and PCNL were correlated with a higher number of sick leave days, and SWL and especially PCNL were found to be related to higher expenditures.

• Less costs, fewer complications, and re-interventions were noted in SWL outpatients compared with inpatients.