Should flexible ureteroscope be added to our armamentarium to treat stone disease?

• Main Authors: Anand Dharaskar, Anil Mandhani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2008-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Urology
• Subjects: Cost; flexible ureteroscopy; renal stone; rigid ureteroscopy; ureteric stone
• Online Access: http://www.indianjurol.com/article.asp?issn=0970-1591;year=2008;volume=24;issue=4;spage=513;epage=516;aulast=Dharaskar

The field of Urology in Medicine has witnessed tremendous advancement in technology and in accordance with it. Endourology has taken a leap ahead in terms of stone management. Most of the stones could be treated with semi-rigid ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) and ESWL and some would need Flexible ureteroscopy. Flexible ureteroscopy has been primarily indicated to treat ESWL resistant renal stones but with changes in the technology of incorporating secondary active deflection and availability of laser fibres, its horizon for indications to treat stones is being widened. Though Flexible ureteroscopy is being used to treat stones of various sizes and locations, its cost effectiveness is debatable. Should it be used ubiquitously to treat stones amenable to PNL or ESWL is a big question we need to answer. As of now true indications of Flexible ureteroscopy are limited and there is an urgent need for a randomized trial to compare its efficacy with ESWL and PNL for renal and upper ureteric stones.