ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser combined with lithotripsy in treating renal calculi. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 78 patients from August 2012 to February 2014 who underwent flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in our hospital. Among them, calculi were located at the upper or middle calyx in 41 patients, at the lower calyx in 27, at the renal pelvis in 6, and at multiple calyxes in 4. The diameter of the stones ranged from 0.8 to 2.0 cm with a mean of 1.4 cm. The stones were fragmentized by using 200 μm holmium laser fiber. A follow-up by renal CT scan was done 4 weeks after the procedure to evaluate the rate of the stone clearance. ResultsThe calculi were detected in 76 patients (97.4%, 76/78). The success rate in one-session procedure was 94.9% (74/78). After 4 weeks, the total stone-free rate was 97.4% (74/76). The mean operative time was 30 minutes (20-55 minutes). The mean hospital stay of the patients was 3 days (2-6 days). Two cases were found to have lower back pain combined with fever and cured by anti-inflammatory treatment. Naked eye hematuria disappeared in our cases after operation for 1 to 2 days. Seventy-four cases were followed up from 4 to 16 months with a median time of 8 months and no recurrence was detected. ConclusionThe flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective mini-invasive therapy for patients with renal calculi, with a high discovery rate of stones, high success rate, high evacuation rate, few severe complications, short hospital stay and sustainable treatment.