Flouroscopy-free technique is safe and feasible in retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stones.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to present outcomes of our patients who had undergone retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) with fluoroscopy-free technique and evaluate the efficacy and safety of the technique.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2013 and June 2015 the outcomes of 93 patients who had undergone RIRS with fluoroscopy-free technique were retrospectively evaluated. Our RIRS technique involved preoperative assessment of ureter by semi-rigid ureteroscope, inserting guidewire through semi-rigid ureteroscope, inserting ureteral access sheath over the guidewire with the visiual guidance of semi-rigid ureteroscope, passing flexible ureteroscope through the sheath, dusting the stone with holmium laser, rechecking the ureter with semi-rigid ureteroscope and inserting double J stent through semi-rigid ureteroscope. Low-dose computerized tomography scan was performed to all patients in postoperative first month and the results were classified as stone-free (absence of any fragment), clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRF) (≤4 mm) and residual stone.

RESULTS

Study population consisted of 62 (66.6%) male and 31 (33.3%) female patients with a mean age of 47.8±14 (range 14-93) years. Mean stone size was 14.7±5 (7-32) mm. Median operative time was 72 (30-125) minutes. Stone-free rate was achieved in 65 (69.9%) patients while CIRF was achieved in 13 (13.9%) and residual stones were detected in 15 (16.1%) patients. Five patients (5.37%) had minor complications, including hematuria and fever. No major complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Fluoroscopy-free technique is effective and safe technique in management of renal stone. Furthermore fluoroscopy-free technique can protect the surgeon from the negative effects of radiation.