Ureteroscopy
Ureteroscopy is an endoscopic non invasive procedure done to deal with ureteric pathology.
The procedure
- The procedure is typically performed with the patient under general anaesthesia (asleep).
- During this procedure, a ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra and bladder into the ureter (a tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder) or kidney.
- X-ray images with a contrast agent (dye) in the ureters may be used to allow the urologist to see where the stone is located and to rule out other abnormalities.
- The ureteroscope is long and thin with a tiny fibre optic camera at the end that is used to see beyond the bladder into the ureters.
- Once the stone is located, it is pulled out directly with a “stone basket” or a laser is used to break the stone into smaller pieces before they are extracted using the basket.
USES:-
- Stone removal
- Mass fulgaration
- Stricture dilatation
- Biopsy of mass
- Dj stenting
- Removal of residual fragments
Advantage:-
- Non invasive
- No blood loss
- Faster recovery
- Less painfull
Disadvantage:-
- Contraindicated in infection
- Difficult to deal with larger stone