Background: The present study evaluatedthe efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in patients with upper ureteric stones by analyzing the clearance rate. Materials and Methods:This prospective observational study was conducted in patients with ureteric stones at the Department of Urology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna,(2009-2011). Patients were divided into two groups according to stone size (mm); group A (up to 10 mm) and group B (11- 20 mm). Dornier Compact Delta II (Dornier MedTech Systems) was the ESWL lithotripter used to fragment ureteric stones. Results:A total of 94 patients (mean [SD] age: 33.7 [12.16] years) were included in the study. The average clearance rate, irrespective of the stone size, was 94.68% . The ESWL was successful in group A (stone size <10 mm) . In group B (stone size 11-20 mm), the ESWL faced more failure.The average retreatment rate was 38.21%.The most common complication was hematuria (8.02%), followed by transient colic and pyrexia (4.93%). Conclusion:ESWL is a safe, effective,non-invasive,and well tolerated treatment for the management of upperureteric stones.ESWL should be done in patients with smaller stones upto 10 mm and with overall success rate of 94.68% irrespective of stone size,it is equally good option for stone size 10-20mm.