Ureteroscopy ProcedureDescription, Latest Information and Doctors
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.
Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
Dr. Brian Matlaga is a Professor of Urology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and also is the Director of the Stephens Center for Stone Disease as well as the Executive Vice Chair of the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute. Dr. Matlaga is an internationally recognized expert in the medical and surgical management of patients with urinary stone disease. A frequent contributor to the medical press, with over 180 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Matlaga’s research has received national and international awards. Dr. Matlaga sits on numerous editorial boards as well as advisory committees and guidelines panels for the American Urological Association, the American Board of Urology, the Endourological Society, and the National Institutes of Health, amongst others. Dr. Matlaga serves as Executive Medical Director of Clinical Affairs for Johns Hopkins Medicine International, the arm of Johns Hopkins Medicine that manages its global presence. In this capacity, he delivers clinical care as well as project leadership across the globe. Dr. Matlaga is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Kidney Stones, Bladder Stones, Boils, Ureteroscopy, and Lithotripsy. Dr. Matlaga is board certified in American Board Of Urology.
Duke Urology Clinic - Clinic 1G
I am a urologist who specializes in the medical and surgical management of kidney stones. My practice focuses on comprehensive kidney stone management. I perform a high volume of kidney stone surgeries, including cases with complex anatomy or large kidney stone burden. In addition, I perform evaluations to determine the cause of stones and then provide specific recommendations to prevent future stones. During our visit, I look forward to learning about you and obtaining a thorough history of your past experiences with kidney stones. After we review your laboratory results and imaging, we will discuss the best options to treat your current kidney stones and strategies to prevent them in the future. Dr. Antonelli is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. She is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Kidney Stones, Boils, Carbuncle, Ureteroscopy, and Lithotripsy. Dr. Antonelli is board certified in American Board Of Urology, Urology.
Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center
My clinical interests include the minimally invasive management of urinary tract stones, including shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous, and ureteroscopic stone removal. I completed my training at the University of North Carolina in 1983 and was an American Urological Association Scholar (1983-1985) in the Division of Mineral Metabolism at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. In 1993, I returned to North Carolina as professor of urological surgery and director of the Duke Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center. Dr. Preminger is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Boils, Lithotripsy, and Ureteroscopy. Dr. Preminger is board certified in American Board Of Urology, Urology.
Summary: This study is evaluating whether a medication called 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), approved by the FDA for use in brain surgery, can help improve the visibility of upper tract urothelial tumors during surgery. Patients undergoing ureteroscopic tumor resection will receive 5-ALA prior to surgery, and surgeons will use special blue light to help identify abnormal tissue that might not be seen under...
Summary: Comparison of routine postoperative stenting versus no stenting after ureterorenoscopy for ureteral stones to assess the necessity and impact on complication risk.
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.