Ureteroscopy for stone(s)

How is the procedure performed?

This is normally performed under general or spinal anaesthetic. The bladder is examined first and a guidewire inserted into the ureteric opening, past the stone, up to the kidney (pictured right); correct positioning is confirmed by "on-table" X-ray.

A long, rigid or flexible instrument is then passed alongside the guidewire until the stone can be seen. The stone is broken with a laser fibre or ultrasound probe and the fragments extracted with fine forceps or using a special retrieval "basket".

A ureteric stent may be inserted at the end of the procedure, depending on what has actually been done.

Video - Rigid ureteroscopy for a stone in the ureter

Features of this video (courtesy of Mr Oliver Wiseman)

• A guidewire (blue at 3 o'clock) inserted past the stone into the kidney
• The crystalline stone (yellow-brown) in the ureter
• A laser fibre (blue at 6 o'clock) which fragments the stone