Overview

Ureteroscopy is a urological procedure that is not very invasive and is used to examine and treat problems of the ureter and kidney. A ureteroscope, a thin, flexible or stiff instrument, is used for this. It goes through the urethra and bladder into the ureter and, if necessary, the kidney. Ureteroscopy is most often used to find and treat kidney stones, ureteral strictures, tumours, or unexplained urinary tract bleeding. The procedure doesn't require any cuts on the outside of the body, so it doesn't damage tissue very much and lets doctors see and treat the urinary system very precisely.

Why it’s Done
Ureteroscopy is done when kidney stones are stuck in the ureter or kidney and can't pass naturally or be treated well with non-invasive methods. It is also used to look for blockages, tumours, recurrent urinary tract infections, or blood in the urine. The procedure provides direct access to the affected area, allowing stones to be removed, broken up with a laser, or a tissue sample to be taken. The main goal is to remove stones, clear the blockage, and restore normal urine flow while keeping the kidneys healthy.

What to Expect?
Before ureteroscopy, patients have imaging tests like CT scans or ultrasounds to find stones or other problems. They do blood and urine tests to make sure there isn't an infection. Most of the time, the procedure is done with general or spinal anaesthesia. The surgeon puts the ureteroscope through the urinary passage and into the bladder during ureteroscopy. Then, they move it into the ureter. If there is a stone, it can be removed with a small basket or broken into smaller pieces with laser lithotripsy. Sometimes, a temporary ureteral stent is placed to keep the ureter open and allow it to heal. The procedure usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes. Afterwards, patients may experience mild burning when they pee, need to pee more often, or see a little blood in their urine for a short time.

Recovery & Outlook
Most patients go home the same day and are back to their normal activities within a few days. Most of the time, discomfort is mild and goes away quickly. Ureteroscopy is a very effective treatment for many urinary tract problems because it is well tolerated, has few complications, and has a high success rate.