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.
Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center
I am focused on the surgical and medical management of kidney stones. I do a large volume of surgeries for kidney stones, however what gives me the most satisfaction in my practice is helping my patients prevent kidney stone recurrence. I work closely with my patients to determine the specific causes for their kidney stones. We review this information and then decide on a preventative plan, which often includes dietary changes and even medications. I find it extremely rewarding to help my patients prevent kidney stones, as many of them are surprised that it is possible to prevent them. Dr. Lipkin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Ureteroscopy. He is also highly rated in 20 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Kidney Stones, UPJ Obstruction, Boils, Lithotripsy, and Ureteroscopy. Dr. Lipkin is board certified in American Board Of Urology, 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 aimed to determine the effects of virtual reality and stress ball interventions on procedure-related fear, anxiety, and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing ureterorenoscopy. The study is a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. The sample size was calculated to ensure sufficient statistical power to detect an effect size of Cohen's f = 0.333, considering α = 0.05, po...
Summary: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial designed to assess the differences in postoperative symptoms related to placement of a 6Fr Percuflex ureteral stents, 6Fr Tria ureteral stents, 4.8Fr Percuflex ureteral stents, and 4.8Fr Tria ureteral stents after ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy for treatment of upper tract urinary stones. 272 participants will be enrolled and will be on study ...
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.