A ureteroscopy helps diagnose and/or treat ureteral stones or cancerous growths in the upper urinary tract.  

 

 

 

What is a ureteroscopy?

A ureteroscopy is a procedure performed for people who have urinary tract stones in the ureters (the tubes that connects the kidneys to the bladder) or kidney stones, which are painful and/or cause a blockage.

Assuta surgeons perform ureteroscopies as a diagnostic procedure and may also treat the condition during the operation, depending on the findings from the procedure.

The operation takes 30-90 minutes, and the recovery is usually short. Most patients are discharged home on the same day or after being hospitalized for 1-2 nights.

This treatment, also called retrograde ureteroscopic intrarenal surgery (RIRS), is also used to treat urinary tract narrowing and to diagnose tumors. In some cases, surgeons can remove the tumors without the need for open (invasive) surgery.
 

How is a ureteroscopy performed?

In this operation, the surgeon inserts a ureteroscope (a tiny, flexible fiber optic device) through the urethra into the bladder, maneuvers it up through the ureters, and, if necessary, guides it into the kidneys. This procedure is a type of catheterization of the urinary system.

For stones that are too large to be removed, the surgeon inserts a powerful laser fiber through the ureteroscope to crush the stones. Stone fragments are removed from the body with a tiny basket.

At the end of the operation, a tube (stent) is usually inserted via each ureter, connecting each kidney to the bladder, which acts as a temporary scaffold to allow the swelling in the urethra to decrease and helps the urethra expand so that stone fragments can be ejected more easily at a later time.

 

Potential ureteroscopy risks

A ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive and usually safe operation. However, like any surgical procedure, it also involves potential complications. The main complication that a patient may experience after the operation is a urinary tract infection.