Learn About 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.
Ureteral stone surgery; Kidney stone - ureteroscopy; Ureteral stone removal - ureteroscopy; Calculi - 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.
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.
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
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.
Arrive at the hospital on time.
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 at least 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.
Treating kidney stones using ureteroscopy usually has a good outcome.
Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center
Glenn Preminger is an Urologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Preminger is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Boils, Lithotripsy, and Ureteroscopy. Dr. Preminger is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Urology Clinic - Clinic 1G
Charles Scales is an Urologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Scales is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. His top areas of expertise are Kidney Stones, Obstructive Uropathy, UPJ Obstruction, Ureteroscopy, and Lithotripsy. Dr. Scales is currently accepting new patients.
Regents Of The University Of California
Manoj Monga is an Urologist in San Diego, California. Dr. Monga 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.
Summary: This is a multicenter prospective trial with randomized and observational cohorts assessing patient-reported outcomes and unplanned healthcare utilization following ureteroscopic treatment of renal and ureteral stones, with placement versus omission of a ureteral stent. Eligible participants in the randomization trial will be randomized to ureteroscopy with stent placement or stent omission. Eligi...
Summary: Double-J (DJ) stents are commonly inserted after ureteroscopy. There are several complications associated with the presence of DJ stent: urinary tract infection, stent encrustation, stent migration, and stent-related symptoms (SRS). SRS occur in up to 80% of patients and include pain, hematuria, and dysuria, all of which negatively impact the patient's quality of life. Physicians proposed the dist...
Published Date: July 01, 2025
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.
Forbes CM, Harriman DI, Paterson RF, Chew BH. Ureteroscopic instrumentation. In: Smith JA Jr, Dmochowski RR, Thomas JC, Preminger GM, eds. Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 36.
Metzler I, Duty B. Principles of urologic endoscopy. In: Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 17.