Abstract:Objective To compare mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL), transurethral ureteroscope lithotripsy (URSL) and flexible ureteroscopy with holmium laser (FURS), and to evaluate which one is the best choice for large upper impacted ureteral stones. Methods Totally 150 consecutively enrolled patients with a large upper impacted ureteral stone (> 15?mm) were included. The patients were randomly divided (1 : 1 : 1) into the MPCNL, URSL, and FURS group. The main outcome measures were the success rate of treatment, the stone clearance rate 1 month after operation; the secondary outcome measures were the relevant parameters during and after operation, and the occurrence of complications related to operation. Results The success rate of treatment and stone clearance rate were 94.0% and 96.0% in the MPCNL group, 82.0% and 91.1% in the FURS group, and 62.0% and 72.0% in the URSL group. There were statistically significant differences in the success rate of treatment, average operation time and postoperative hospital stay among the three groups (P?0.05); the three groups needed to be assisted with ESWL. ESWL assisted rate compared with stone elimination rate one month after operation, and the difference was not statistically significant (P?>?0.05). The success rate of URSL group was lower than that of FURS group and MPCNL group. The success rate of MPCNL group was better than that of FURS group. The average operation time and postoperative hospitalization time of URSL group were better than those of the other two groups. Conclusions MPCNL and FURS have the same stone clearance rate, which are better than URSL, and may be more suitable for the treatment of upper ureteral impacted stones. Compared with MPCNL, failure of FURS treatment and postoperative infection risk were higher. In addition, if the patient is not suitable for general anesthesia or poor surgical tolerance, URSL can be considered.