Learn About Ureteroscopy

What is the definition of Ureteroscopy?

Ureteroscopy uses a small lighted viewing scope to examine the ureters. Ureters are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. This procedure can help diagnose and treat problems in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones.

What are the alternative names for Ureteroscopy?

Ureteral stone surgery; Kidney stone - ureteroscopy; Ureteral stone removal - ureteroscopy; Calculi - ureteroscopy

What happens during a Ureteroscopy?

Ureteroscopy is performed with a ureteroscope. This is a small tube (rigid or flexible) with a tiny light and camera on the end.

  • The procedure usually takes 1 hour.
  • You are given general anesthesia. This is medicine that allows you to sleep.
  • Your groin and urethra are cleaned. The scope is then inserted through the urethra, into the bladder, and then up into the ureter.

The next steps are described below.

Why would someone need a Ureteroscopy?

During the procedure, your surgeon (urologist) may:

  • Use small instruments that are sent through the scope to grab and remove kidney stones or break them up using a laser.
  • Place a stent in the ureter to allow urine and small pieces of kidney stone to pass through. If you have a stent, you will need to return to have it removed in 1 or 2 weeks. This can usually be done in the surgeon's office without anesthesia.
  • Check for cancer.
  • Examine or remove a growth or tumor.
  • Examine areas of the ureters that have become narrow.
  • Diagnose repeated urinary tract infections and other problems.
What are the risks?

Risks for surgery and anesthesia in general are:

  • Problems breathing
  • Reaction to medicines
  • Bleeding, blood clots, infection

Risks for this procedure include:

  • Injury of the ureter or kidney
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Narrowing or scarring of the ureter
How to prepare for a Ureteroscopy

Tell your surgeon what medicines you are taking, including ones you bought without a prescription. Also tell your surgeon if you are pregnant or think you may be.

Arrange to have someone take you home after the procedure.

Follow instructions about how to prepare for the procedure. These may include:

  • Not eating or drinking anything after the midnight prior to your procedure.
  • Temporarily stopping certain medicines, such as aspirin or other blood thinners. Do not stop taking any prescription medicines unless your surgeon tells you to stop.
  • Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
What to expect after a Ureteroscopy

You will wake up in a recovery room. You can go home once you are awake and can urinate.

At home, follow any instructions you're given. These may include the following:

  • You will need to rest for 24 hours. You should have someone stay with you during that time.
  • Your surgeon will likely prescribe medicines for you to take at home. This may include a pain medicine and an antibiotic to prevent infection. Take these as instructed.
  • Drink 4 to 6 glasses of water a day to dilute your urine and help flush out your urinary tract.
  • You will see blood in your urine for several days. This is normal.
  • You may feel pain in your bladder and burning when you urinate. If your surgeon says it's OK, sitting in a warm bath may help relieve the discomfort. Using a heating pad set on low can also help.
  • If your surgeon placed a stent, you may feel pain in your side, especially during and right after urination.
  • You can drive after you've stopped taking any narcotic pain relievers.

You will likely feel better in about 5 to 7 days. If you have a stent, it may take longer to feel like yourself again.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Ureteroscopy?

Treating kidney stones using ureteroscopy usually has a good outcome.

Who are the top Ureteroscopy Local Doctors?

Regents Of The University Of California

200 W Arbor Dr, 
San Diego, CA 
Offers Telehealth

Manoj Monga is an Urologist in San Diego, California. Dr. Monga and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Perirenal Abscess, Lithotripsy, and Ureteroscopy.

Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation

675 N St Clair, 150 Dept Of Urology, 
Chicago, IL 
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Amy Krambeck is an Urologist in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Krambeck and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. Her top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Bladder Stones, Ureteroscopy, and Lithotripsy. Dr. Krambeck is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Duke Health Integrated Practice Inc

40 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Glenn Preminger is an Urologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Preminger and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Carbuncle, Lithotripsy, and Ureteroscopy. Dr. Preminger is currently accepting new patients.

What are the latest Ureteroscopy Clinical Trials?
Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial of Intravesical Bupivacaine on Post-Operative Ureteroscopy Pain

Summary: Post-operative pain and lower urinary tract symptoms are common following ureteroscopy in the treatment of stone disease. The use of bupivacaine as a topical pain medication is used routinely for other urologic procedures, however, to date there are no studies that have rigorously investigated the effect of instilling bupivacaine in the bladder following ureteroscopy. This is a randomized study th...

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Effect of Laughter Yoga on Surgical Fear and Anxiety in Patients Applied Before Ureteroscopy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary: Surgical fear is a situation where a person experiences excessive fear of surgical procedures. This fear can negatively affect the person's normal life and is usually more intense in the pre-operative period. The causes of surgical fear include factors such as previous negative surgical experiences, lack of sufficient information, post-operative pain and complications. In addition, factors such as...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: July 01, 2023
Published By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Chew BH, Harriman DI. Ureteroscopic instrumentation. In: Smith JA Jr, Howards SS, Preminger GM, Dmochowski RR, eds. Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 40.

Duty BD, Conlin MJ. Principles of urologic endoscopy. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 13.