Ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy
ICD-9-CM56.31
MeSHD018666

Ureteroscopy is an examination of the upper urinary tract, usually performed with a ureteroscope that is passed through the urethra and the bladder, and then directly into the ureter.[1] The procedure is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders such as kidney stones and urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.[1] Smaller stones in the bladder or lower ureter can be removed in one piece, while bigger ones are usually broken before removal during ureteroscopy.[citation needed]

The examination may be performed with either a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid device while the patient is under anesthesia.[1] In specific cases, the patient is free to go home after the examination.[2]

In pyeloscopy, the endoscope is designed to reach all the way to the renal pelvis (also called pyelum), thereby allowing visualisation of the entire drainage system of the kidney.[3] The endoscope can contain an instrument port which allows for introduction of laser fibres to fragment stones, and micro-baskets to retrieve stone fragments.[3] Kidney stones up to 2 cm in size can be treated by pyeloscopy.[3]

  1. ^ a b c Doizi, Steeve; Traxer, Olivier (February 2018). "Flexible ureteroscopy: technique, tips and tricks" (PDF). Urolithiasis. 46 (1): 47–58. doi:10.1007/s00240-017-1030-x. ISSN 2194-7236. PMID 29222575. S2CID 21774294.
  2. ^ Ureteropyeloscopy. Baylor College of Medicine. 2018 [accessed 2018 Mar 5]. [1]
  3. ^ a b c Laser Stone Surgery using Flexible Pyeloscopy at Kidney Stone Clinic, Dr. Raymond Ko. Retrieved September 2011