Understanding Ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy is a procedure done by a urologist to treat kidney stones. In ureteroscopy, a thin telescopic instrument known as uretoscope is passed through into the urethra then the bladder and into the ureter where the stones are located. Ureteroscopy does not require any incisions.

The urologist may use forceps or a device called a "stone basket" to remove the stones. If the stones are small, they can all be extracted in a single piece but the urologist would need to break up large stones so they could be removed. Laser is the most common instrument used to shatter kidney stones. The urologist can use a flexible or a rigid ureteroscope, either one is effective.

Ureteroscopy is performed in an operating room and the patient has to be under anesthesia. The procedure usually takes anywhere from thirty minutes up to two hours, depending on the location, size and the number of stones to be extracted and the anatomy of the patient. Most patients are able to leave the hospital on the same day after ureteroscopy procedure but there are cases when the doctor requires that the patient to stay at the hospital for a day or two.

Urologists perform ureteroscopy to extract stones that are trapped in the ureter. The location of the stones is also a factor in deciding to use this treatment option. Ureteroscopy is ideal when the stones are in the lower part of the ureter or if they are nearer to the bladder.

In general, ureteroscopy is an effective procedure but there are several factors that influence how effective it is such as the number of existing stones, the length of time the stones have been trapped, the location and size of the stones, any previous kidney surgery on the patient and the urologist's experience in performing ureteroscopy.

As with any other medical procedure, there are risks to ureteroscopy but there is a more likely chance of complications only when the stones are located closer to the kidney than the bladder. Some of the complications of ureteroscopy include ureter injuries, urinary tract infections, bleeding, and abdominal pains.

After ureteroscopy procedure, the urologist will prescribe some antibiotics and pain relievers. While there are no incisions made during ureteroscopy, it is still surgery so patients should not expect to get back to normal 100 percent immediately. They will still experience some pain and discomfort. Most patients reported side pains, some getting worse when they urinate. It is also common to feel an urgent and frequent need to urinate. It is also normal to see blood in the urine for a number of weeks after ureteroscopy.
About a week after ureteroscopy, the patient would need to go back to their doctor's office to remove the stent, a tiny tube that was placed during the ureteroscopy procedure in the ureter to aid its healing. The doctor may or may not schedule a follow-up appointment, depending on individual circumstances.