What is Ureteroscopy: Overview, Benefits, and Expected Results

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Introduction



Ureteroscopy‍ is a minimally invasive medical⁤ procedure used⁣ to​ diagnose and treat a number⁢ of urinary tract⁣ disorders. During a ureteroscopy, a thin, lighted tube⁣ called a ureteroscope is passed through the ‍urethra⁢ and⁣ bladder to⁣ the ureter where it can be used to inspect⁢ the ducts and‌ internal organs for blockages, stones,​ and other problems. Ureteroscopy is used to assess and treat a number of urinary tract ⁤conditions including urinary ‌tract infections, ⁤kidney stones, and ureteral strictures. The procedure can also be used to ‍remove or repair stone-causing blockages.



Overview



Ureteroscopy ​is a minimally invasive⁢ procedure that uses⁣ a fiber-optic scope, called a‌ ureteroscope, ⁣to view the ureters and kidneys. It​ can be⁣ used to diagnose and⁢ treat a number of ⁣urinary tract disorders. During⁤ a ureteroscopy, a urologist inserts a ureteroscope into the bladder through the urethra. The ureteroscope is connected to a ⁢camera and light source which ​is used to help‌ the urologist navigate and diagnose​ the urinary tract.



The ureteroscope is used to view ‌the urethra and bladder. It can be used to identify and address a number of conditions including blockages, stones, and inflammation. The ureteroscope can also be⁤ used to remove or repair stone-causing blockages.



Benefits ‍



Ureteroscopy offers numerous benefits when compared to traditional open surgery. These include:



• Minimal ‌invasiveness – Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. It ‌allows ​access ⁢to the urinary tract without making‌ large incisions and requires a shorter recovery time than traditional open surgery.



• Improved accuracy –⁣ Ureteroscopy procedures are less invasive than traditional open surgery and allow for a more detailed view of the urinary tract. ​This ‌helps the urologist to more accurately diagnose and treat any issues.



• Reduced ‍risk of infection – Ureteroscopy procedures are much less invasive than open surgery, meaning the risk of infection‌ is much lower.



Expected Results



Ureteroscopy is ⁢most commonly used ⁤to diagnose and remove kidney stones. ⁣It can⁣ also ‍be ⁣used to diagnose and treat urinary tract infections, identify inflammation, reposition​ ureters that have moved,‍ remove blockages, and repair or remove stone-causing blockages.



Ureteroscopy is ⁣generally ‌a⁢ successful and safe procedure. Following the procedure, the individual will have to take antibiotics to reduce the risk ‌of infection.⁤ The patient should also be able to resume ​their normal activities following the procedure.



Conclusion



Ureteroscopy ‌is⁢ a minimally invasive ⁢medical procedure used to diagnose and treat a number of⁤ urinary tract⁢ disorders. During‌ a ​ureteroscopy, a thin, lighted tube called a ureteroscope‍ is⁢ passed through the urethra and bladder to the ureter where it can be used to inspect the ducts and⁢ internal organs⁤ for blockages, stones, and other problems. Ureteroscopy offers⁤ numerous benefits when compared to traditional open surgery and is generally a ⁤successful​ and safe procedure. Following the procedure, the patient will have to take antibiotics‌ to reduce the risk‍ of infection and should be able to resume their normal activities.

Definition & Overview

A ureteroscopy is a medical procedure used to examine the upper urinary tract to diagnose certain diseases such as urinary tract infection or even cancer. The procedure makes use of a small tube instrument called an endoscope, which is similar to a flexible telescope. This viewing tube, which has a small camera attached to its end, is inserted into the ureter and bladder. In general, a ureteroscopy is considered as the endoscopy of the upper urinary tract.

Aside from its diagnostic purpose, ureteroscopy can also be used to remove kidney stones that are located in the ureter or kidney itself. The procedure can remove kidney stones of all sizes, but larger ones are typically fragmented first then removed using a helium laser device, high-frequency sound waves, or electrical energy. The procedure is also performed to examine and remove a tumor.

Who should undergo and expected results

Ureteroscopy is recommended for patients who have conditions affecting the urinary tract, such as:

• Kidney stones
• Urinary tract infection (especially when it occurs frequently)
• Hematuria
• Abnormal result (or finding an unusual cell) after a urine sample
• Blockage in the urinary tract
• An unusual growth or polyp in the urinary tract
• Tumor in the urinary tract
• Cancer in the urinary tract

A ureteroscopy is also an alternative treatment for those who are not cleared to undergo a procedure called shock wave lithotripsy (SML). An SML is another treatment procedure that is commonly performed to remove stones found in the kidney or the ureter. There are restrictions, however, that may hinder a person from undergoing the procedure; those who are pregnant, has a blood clot problem, and obese are advised against undergoing an SML. Thus, they usually undergo a ureteroscopy instead.

How the procedure works

Ureteroscopy is mainly a diagnostic procedure, but it is also used as a minimally invasive treatment procedure for the removal of kidney stones. When performed for therapeutic purposes, a ureteroscopy pulls out the stones using forceps or a tiny wire basket, both of which are attached to the endoscope. No incisions or cuts are made during the whole process. Kidney stones that are small in size can be removed easily and in one piece. Larger kidney stones, however, are broken into smaller pieces first through high-frequency sound waves or electrical energy (a process called electrohydraulic lithotripsy), but the most commonly used is laser.

Ureteroscopy is also effective in removing stones located in the ureter and those that are closer to the bladder. First, the stone will be pushed back up the kidney, and then it will be broken up into smaller pieces through lithotripsy.

To keep the patient as comfortable as possible, the procedure is performed under either spinal or general anesthesia.

Possible risks and complications

Complications that may occur during a ureteroscopy include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Bleeding
• Injury to the ureter

• Abdominal pain
  
  References:

• Matlaga B, Lingeman J. Surgical management of upper Urinary tract calculi. In: Wein, AJ, Kavoussi, LR, Novick, AC et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier 2011:48.

• Sagalowsky A, Jarrett T, Flanigan R. Urothelial tumors of the upper urinary tract and ureter. In: Wein, AJ, Kavoussi, LR, Novick, AC et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier 2011:53.

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