Endoscopic ureterolithotripsy, also known as ureteroscopy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used for the management of ureteral stones. This innovative technique allows for the direct visualization and fragmentation of stones within the ureter, offering patients a highly effective treatment option with minimal discomfort and rapid recovery.
What is Endoscopic Ureterolithotripsy?
Endoscopic ureterolithotripsy involves the use of a flexible ureteroscope, a thin, tube-like instrument equipped with a small camera and laser fiber, which is inserted into the urethra and advanced into the ureter under direct vision. Once the stone is visualized, laser energy is utilized to fragment the stone into smaller pieces, which can then be either passed naturally or removed with the aid of specialized instruments.
How is it Performed?
The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation in an outpatient setting. After the patient is adequately anesthetized, the ureteroscope is carefully inserted into the urethra and guided up into the ureter. The surgeon then navigates the ureteroscope to the site of the stone, using real-time imaging to precisely target and fragment the stone with laser energy. Once the stone is sufficiently fragmented, the fragments are either flushed out naturally or removed using a retrieval basket or suction device.
Advantages of Endoscopic Ureterolithotripsy:
- Minimally Invasive: Unlike traditional open surgical procedures, endoscopic ureterolithotripsy requires only small incisions or sometimes no incisions at all, resulting in less tissue damage, reduced postoperative pain, and faster recovery times.
- High Success Rate: Endoscopic ureterolithotripsy boasts a high success rate for stone clearance, with most patients achieving complete stone removal in a single procedure.
- Precision and Safety: The use of real-time imaging allows for precise localization and fragmentation of stones, minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues and organs.
- Shorter Hospital Stay: Since endoscopic ureterolithotripsy is typically performed on an outpatient basis, patients can often return home the same day as the procedure, avoiding the need for prolonged hospitalization.
- Reduced Risk of Complications: Compared to more invasive surgical techniques, endoscopic ureterolithotripsy carries a lower risk of complications such as infection, bleeding, and injury to adjacent structures.
