Ureteroscopy. An alternative view.

Forty-six ureteroscopies were carried out over a 12-month period. A simple technique is described. The desired level was reached in 72% of cases and the pre-operative objective achieved in 60% of cases overall. Fifty per cent of all ureteric stones were safely retrieved by ureteroscopy. The instrument was used to establish a diagnosis of upper urinary tract abnormality in 16 of 23 cases. The overall complication rate was low, most problems relating to short-lived ureteric colic (23%) which was seen mainly after stone manipulation. Transurethral ureteroscopy is a safe procedure with a number of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.