[Economical aspects on the treatments of urolithiasis by surgical methods: comparison of surgical method selections and world status].

Economical elements including surgical fee and hosipital stay become larger in the selection of surgical methods for the treatment of urinary stones. Then, urologists need to explain to patients the treatment cost to obtain informed consent. By comparing the data from participants' answer to Debate 1 at the 82th annual meeting of the Japanese Urological Association (April 2002, Tokyo) and questionnaire responses from the members of the annual meeting of central division of Japanese Urological Association (November 2002, Nagoya), we surveyed the trends of surgical methods on the treatments of staghorn caliculi and lower ureter stones. Furthermore, we clarified the cost of these methods. Based on the status of world countries, we demonstrate the ideal selection including economical aspects on the selection of endourological method.