Ureteroscopy (Semi Rigid) and Laser Lithotripsy

Stones in the lower ureter (the tube connecting kidney and bladder) can be treated by ESWL or Ureteroscopy or Laparoscopy. ESWL has a high failure rate for lower ureteric stones, as the bony pelvis within which the ureter lies will absorb some energy of the shock waves.

Laparoscopy is a procedure reserved for some difficult stones, were open surgery is anticipated.

The normal ureter the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder, is about 3-4mm in diameter and 25-30cm long. A ureteroscope is a highly specialized telescope that can be passed into the ureter via your bladder to visualize the stone on a video screen. The ureteroscope we have is the latest, a diameter of only 1.3mm diameter. This is then connected to a TV screen enabling x10 to x15 magnification. Through the ureteroscope, we pass a laser fibre and using laser energy, powder the stone. You may be requested by the doctor to sieve your urine after the procedure to collect stone fragments for analysis

A small 2mm stent (internal tube) is often left inside, extending from the bladder to the kidney. The stent allows for, easy painless passage of the stone fragments, quick recovery of the kidney and better healing of the ureter. It occasionally causes pain while passing urine and occasional blood stained urine. The stent will not be seen outside the body and can be removed any time between a month and 3 months or earlier if the bladder irritation is intolerable. Removal of the stent does not require admission.

Sometimes, when the ureter is too narrow or when the stone is too impacted, ureteroscopic removal of the stone is done in 2 stages. In the first stage, a stent alone is inserted and in the second stage the stone is removed.

ROUTINE

PRE OPERATIVE CHECK:

If possible this is completed before admission or on the morning of admission, if no medical problems are anticipated.

ADMISSION

You should come for admission to the Urology department OP on the date of admission. Admission is usually fixed the day before surgery.

• Routine pre-operative check up will be done by me, the physician and the anesthetist, if this has not been already done. If you have any preference regarding General or Spinal Anesthesia, inform me and discuss it with the Anesthetist.
• Preparation for surgery will be done in the evening and will involve shaving of private parts and laxatives and fasting for 6 hours before surgery.
• The time of surgery will be finalised on the day of admission.

DAY OF SURGERY

• There may be a delay of about an hour if the theatre is not ready.
• After the procedure, you will have a catheter (tube) through your water passage in to your bladder. This is removed the next day morning. The catheter helps to keep you in comfort on the day of surgery. You will return to your room from the intensive care postoperative room after 4 hours.

1st POST OPERATIVE DAY

• The catheter would be removed the next day morning
• 24 hours bed rest is required after Spinal Anaesthesia. Light diet is advised.
• You may be requested to sieve your urine to collect fragments for analysis. Sieve is available in the hospital pharmacy.
• You should maintain a urine output of at least 2.5L /day requiring you to drink a glass of fluid every hour, except when you are sleeping.
• Normally you will be allowed to go home .
  
  
  • Presence of urinary tract infection is the commonest reason to extent the admission.
  • You will be given a course of antibiotics.
  • Maintaining a good urine output is what will help prevent infection.
  • There is no need to rest if you are feeling well.
  • Outpatient review is arranged in about 10 days time.
  • If there is a stent, removal of it would be organised at the time of outpatient review.