Application of tip-bendable ureteral access sheath in flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy: an initial experience of 224 cases

Abstract

Introduction During the last decades, the advent of flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy has revolutionized the management of upper urinary tract stones. We designed a patented tip-bendable ureteral access sheath to facilitate stone clearance. Our current study reported our initial experience of 224 cases. Materials and methods The study is a descriptive, retrospective analysis. The initial 224 cases, operated consecutively by one surgeon during 16 months, were reviewed. The novel tip-bendable ureteral access sheath was applied in the procedure. Demographics, laboratory tests, and peri- and postoperative findings (operation duration, stone-free rate (SFR), utilization of flexible instruments and complications) were analyzed. Resutls The median age of the patients was 56 years and the mean stones size was 2.3 ± 1.3 cm. There were 63 cases of upper ureteral stone, 93cases of renal stone and 68 cases of ureteral-renal stones. The mean operative time was 69.2 ± 65.2 min. The immediate stone-free rate was 76.8% and the 1 month post-operative stone-free rate was 97.3%. Most cases(95.5%)were success in single session. Two patient experienced post-operative fever. There was no unplanned readmission. The frequency of post-operative complications was estimated at 0.89% (Clavien I). Conclusion Flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy with tip-bendable ureteral access sheath is a safe and effective procedure, which can achieve excellent stone clearance.

Scoping Review of Experimental and Clinical Evidence and Its Influence on Development of the Suction Ureteral Access Sheath

“…Various complications in the use of FANS have been reported. Chen et al [46] reported only two cases of fever in a cohort of 53 patients who underwent FURS with FANS, while Liang et al [58] recorded an even lower fever rate (2/224). In another study, 10/12 Fr FANS have been compared to 12/14 Fr, reporting four cases of fever for the first group and no infectious complications for the second group [47].…”

Retroperitoneal Ureterolithotomy: The Preferred Surgical Method for Elderly Patients with Impacted Upper Ureteral Calculi and Infection

“…The stone clearance rate was 93.8 % ( 31/33 ), the operation time was short, the intraoperative blood loss was small, and the hospitalization time was short, indicating that FURL was an efficient surgical method. Hui Liang [10]also believed that FURL had minimal trauma and rapid postoperative recovery. However, the incidence of FURL complications in this study was 18.2 % higher than that of Yong Sun Choi [11] ; there was a significant difference in the incidence of complications between 6.9 % and 13.3 % in O Baş et al [12].…”

Clinical efficacy analysis of tip‑flexible suctioning ureteral access sheath combined with disposable flexible ureteroscope to treat 2-4 cm renal stones

“…The introduction of the new TFS-UAS, featuring a bendable distal end that reaches directly to the calyx and facilitates the removal of irritant and stone fragments with low negative pressure, has led to a better clearance effect compared to T-UAS. This expansion has broadened the indications for endoscopic surgery [12].…”

“…Currently, the combination of the TFS-UAS with a DFU is primarily used to treat kidney stones smaller than 2 cm and has demonstrated good clinical e cacy [12][13][14]. There has been relatively limited research on applying this technology to treat stones with a diameter of 2-4 cm.…”