Ureteroscopy is a procedure in which a small flexible telescope called ureteroscope, is inserted into the bladder and ureter so that the stones can be diagnosed properly along with other issues related to the urinary tract. The urologist or surgeon, with the help of ureteroscope can easily examine the ureteral stone inside the ureter without any difficulty and remove them as well. The surgeon inserts a tiny flexible wired forceps inside the bladder to the lower ureter and simultaneously collects the stones in it and pulls them out from there. This surgery is actually an outpatient procedure and is performed by the doctor using the stent on or without them. Through this procedure the surgeon can easily access almost 2/3rd of ureter that too without much difficulty.
The success of the surgery depends completely upon the skills and experience of the surgeon. He can remove any number of stones with different sizes, with the assistance of ureteroscopy. In comparison to ESWL treatment, the fragmentation of the kidney stone with the help of helium laser device is much more secured and gives a guaranteed result.
Ureteroscopy is an outpatient procedure and the excellent way through which ureteral stones along with the other kidney stones are cleared perfectly
Allows visualization and proper check up of the ureter and kidney that was not possible earlier with other radiology procedures
Issues related to ureter, injuries as well as strictures can be inspected carefully and if required even biopsies are done
The ureteroscope in inserted inside the body through natural channels that does not require any sort of skin incisions
In a single session itself most of the stones are fragmented
The flexible ureteroscopy can easily evade all the areas of kidney so that the stones can easily be removed from the kidney and ureter
Before the Ureteroscopy treatment is performed the general anesthesia is given to the patient and thus they are advised not to drink or eat food for at least 6 hours before the surgery. If the patient has a kidney stone complaint, then the urologist will require an X-ray of abdomen, kidney, bladder and ureter. Proper check up will be done to find out if there is any urinary infection. If there is a risk of bacterial infection, then the doctors will prescribe antibiotics.
Under the effect of anesthesia, telescopic examination i.e. ‘cystoscopy’ is performed to visualize the kidney, bladder and ureter. The surgeon passes the small flexible telescope called a ureteroscope through the urethra, so that each and every stone can be seen. Once the location of the stone is found the surgeon decides when the stone is fragmented or pushed inside the kidney for the ESWL treatment.
Once the procedure is finished, a stent is placed inside the ureter because the ureter swells and as a result can obstruct the urine flow to the bladder. This stent is replaced after a day or two. A Catheter is placed inside the urethra to drain the bladder and this tube stays in place for a single day only or even overnight.
After the ureteroscopy treatment is done, proper care is required for the patients. The patients may notice blood stains in urine for a day or two. The doctor will prescribe some antibiotics that must be taken regularly. If the stent is placed then after the removal of catheter some symptoms can be noticed such as:
These symptoms are all temporary and thus everything will be perfectly well on complete recovery. You must contact the doctor immediately if you experience fever and extreme pain. You will need both plain and IVU X-ray, after the treatment & during the recovery phase to examine for any more presence of kidney stones.
Stones of any size, shape and number can be treated with the help of this treatment.
Yes the recurrent stones can be treated.
Before the Ureteroscopy treatment is performed the general anesthesia is given to the patient and thus they are advised not to drink or eat food for at least 6 hours before the surgery. If the patient has a kidney stone complaint, the urologist will require an X-ray of abdomen, kidney, bladder and ureter. Proper check up will be done to find out if there is any urinary infection.
Other than these, surgeon requires ureteroscope, forceps and stent and catheter for performing the complete procedure.
Most often this treatment is an outpatient procedure. Many patients are discharged on the same day itself after the procedure. But some patient may need to stay in the hospital for 24 hours to 48 hours.
Complications may arise in elderly patient if the stone is close to the kidney and if other medical problems are there the patient must disclose it to the surgeon or the urologist so that they can guide the patient better and choose the treatment option accordingly.
This surgery is successfully carried out by the team of specialized urologist, anesthetist and nursing staff.
The cost of this treatment depends upon the size, number and location of the kidney stone specifically. One can call us for the cost and best quotes that are available.
