Rigid transurethral ureteroscopy.

Since March 1984 we have performed ureteroscopy in 58 patients. The indications were ureteric calculi in 49 cases and dilatation of ureteric strictures, evaluation of unexplained haematuria, evaluation of ureteric filling defects and the insertion of ureteric stents in the remainder. Stone removal was successful in 33 patients (67%). We have found rigid ureteroscopy to be a time-consuming procedure with a high risk of minor injury, but long-term complications are uncommon and we believe that rigid ureteroscopy should be the procedure of choice for the management of calculi in the lower and middle thirds of the ureter.