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Subject Area

Urology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim was to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of semirigid and flexible ureteroscopy (URS) for the management of renal stones. Background Treatment modalities for renal stones have changed significantly in recent years, and alternative, minimally invasive methods have gained importance. Patients and methods A prospective nonrandomized study was undertaken of all cases with renal stones between 2019 and 2021 performed at a single academic hospital. Ureteroscopic stone treatment was attempted in 77 patients. Semirigid URS was routinely performed in all cases. If the renal stones were accessible with the semirigid ureteroscope, they were then treated with holmium laser under direct vision (group 1). If the stones were not accessible, a single-use flexible URS was performed (group 2). Patient demographics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Results The study included 30 (39%) male and 47 (61%) female patients. The mean stone size was 19 (±8) mm for group 1 and 15 (±9) mm for group 2. A stone-free status was observed in 29 (67.4%) patients for group 1 and 29 (85.3%) patients for group 2. Postoperative urinary tract infection was observed in five (11.6%) patients in group 1 and five (14.7%) patients in group 2, and postoperative hematuria in two (4.6%) patients for group 1 and two (5.8%) patients for group 2, all were treated conservatively. Conclusion Retrograde intrarenal stone treatment represents a minimally invasive alternative, it is safe and effective for treating renal stones not amenable to less invasive techniques.

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