Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy (URSL)

Ureteroscopy (URS) is a preferred method for the treatment of small- to medium-sized kidney stones located in any part of the urinary tract.

The procedure is typically performed with the patient under general anaesthesia (asleep).

During this procedure, a ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra and bladder into the ureter (a tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder) or kidney.
X-ray images with a contrast agent (dye) in the ureters may be used to allow the urologist to see where the stone is located and to rule out other abnormalities.
The ureteroscope is long and thin with a tiny fibre optic camera at the end that is used to see beyond the bladder into the ureters.
Once the stone is located, it is pulled out directly with a “stone basket” or a laser is used to break the stone into smaller pieces before they are extracted using the basket.

Some ureteroscopes are flexible like a thin and long straw. Some are more rigid and harder.