Abstract:Objective To comapre the efficacy between disposable deflectable-tip negative-pressure suction sheath-assisted flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with upper ureteral calculi combined with renal calculi.Methods A total of 115 patients with upper ureteral calculi complicated with renal calculi who were treated at Hami Central Hospital from April 2023 to April 2025 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 61 cases underwent FURL assisted by a disposable deflectable-tip negative-pressure suction sheath and were assigned to the observation group, and the other 54 patients underwent PCNL and were assigned to the control group. The surgical conditions and the incidence of postoperative complications were recorded for the two groups.Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in the operative duration or stone-free rate (both P > 0.05). The observation group had significantly lower intraoperative blood loss and a shorter postoperative hospital stay than the control group (both P < 0.05). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were compared between the two groups at 1 day preoperatively, 1 day postoperatively, and 2 days postoperatively. The results showed that VAS scores differed significantly across time points (P < 0.05) and between the two groups (P < 0.05), with lower scores in the observation group, indicating better analgesic efficacy. The trends in VAS score changes over time differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion Compared with PCNL, the disposable deflectable-tip negative-pressure suction sheath-assisted FURL yields favorable outcomes in patients with upper ureteral calculi combined with renal calculi, with fewer postoperative complications, milder pain, and a higher safety profile.