Ureteroscopy Workup

  • Author: Michael Grasso III, MD; Chief Editor: Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS   more...
 
Updated: Jan 19, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Coagulation factors
    • Prothrombin time
    • Activated partial thromboplastin time
    • Platelet count
  • Urinalysis for urine culture
  • Standard preoperative laboratory workup
    • CBC count
    • Electrolyte levels
    • Serum creatinine and BUN determination
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Imaging Studies

  • Useful preoperative imaging studies depending on the clinical presentation include the following:
    • Renal ultrasonography
    • IVP
    • CT scanning
    • MRI
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Michael Grasso III, MD  Director of Endourology, Lenox Hill Hospital; Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Urology, New York Medical College

Michael Grasso III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Urological Association, Endourological Society, Medical Society of the State of New York, National Kidney Foundation, Société Internationale d'Urologie (International Society of Urology), and Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons

Disclosure: Karl Storz Endoscopy Consulting fee Consulting; Boston Scientific Consulting fee Consulting; Cook Urologic Consulting fee Consulting

Coauthor(s)

Paul Pyo, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Urology, New York Medical College

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

G Blake Johnson, MD  Consulting Staff, Middleton Urology Associates

G Blake Johnson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, and American Urological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Daniel B Rukstalis, MD  Director of Urological Services, Geisinger Medical Center, Geisinger Medical Group

Daniel B Rukstalis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science and American Urological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD  Paul A Bunn Professor of Cancer Research, Professor of Surgery and Pharmacology, Director, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Medical Society of Virginia, Society for Basic Urologic Research, and Society of Urologic Oncology

Disclosure: Key Genomics Ownership interest Co-Founder-50% Stock Ownership; KromaTiD, Inc Stock Options Board membership

J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS  The David A Bloom Professor of Urology, Director, Division of Endourology and Stone Disease, Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School

J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Catholic Medical Association, Endourological Society, Society for Urology and Engineering, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Society of University Urologists, and Society of Urologic Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS  Professor of Urology, Director, Center for Laparoscopy and Endourology, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Endourological Society, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and Society of University Urologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Medscape Reference thanks Dennis G Lusaya, MD, Associate Professor II, Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Santo Tomas; Head of Urology Unit, Benavides Cancer Institute, University of Santo Tomas Hospital; Chief of Urologic Oncology, St Luke’s Medical Center Global City, Philippines, for the video contribution to this article.

Medscape Reference also thanks Edgar V Lerma, MD, FACP, FASN, FAHA, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine; Research Director, Internal Medicine Training Program, Advocate Christ Medical Center; Consulting Staff, Associates in Nephrology, SC, for his assistance with the video contribution to this article.

References
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Flexible fiberoptic ureteropyeloscope.
Secondary endoscope deflection that allows lower-pole intrarenal access.
Plain radiograph that defines a large renal pelvic calculus with the flexible ureteroscope passed beyond the stone burden.
The instillation of radiopaque contrast material through the working channel of the flexible ureteroscope defines the lower-pole location of the tip of the endoscope.
Ureteroscopic image of an impacted jack stone in the ureter. These calculi are composed of calcium oxalate monohydrate.
Ureteroscopic image of a papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter.
Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy. Video courtesy of Dennis G Lusaya, MD, and Edgar V Lerma, MD.
Table 1. Comparison of Complication Rates Associated With Ureteroscopy, Emphasizing the Noticeable Decrease in the Major Complication Rate With Greater Experience and Endoscope Miniaturization
AuthorBlute et al[7] Abdel-Razzak and Bagley[9] Harmon et al[10] Grasso and Bagley[8]
Year Published1988199219971998
Procedures346290209584
Minor Complications, %
Colic/pain---93.55.5
Fever6.26.921.4
False passage0.9------0.4
Hematuria
Minor



Prolonged



0.5



0.3



2.1



1



0



0



0.7



0.2



Extravasation0.61------
Urinary tract infection---1---1.6
Pyelonephritis---------0.5
Major Complications, %
Perforation4.61.710
Stricture1.40.70.50.5
Avulsion0.6000
Urinoma0.6---00
Urosepsis0.3000
Cardiovascular accident------0.50.2
Deep vein thrombosis---------0.2
Table 2. New York University Experience With Ureteroscopic Treatment of Ureteral Calculi Using the Holmium:YAG Laser
SegmentNumber of CasesMean Diameter,



mm (range, mm)



Success Rate,



First-Stage Treatment



and Second -Stage Treatment



Proximal third7511.3 (30-5)95% and 96%
Middle third4510.7 (60-5)98% and 100%
Distal third9110.3 (50-4)99% and 100%
Totals21197% and 99%
Table 3. New York University Experience With Ureteropyeloscopic Treatment of Intrarenal Calculi Using the Holmium:YAG Laser
LocationNumber of CasesMean Diameter,



mm (range, mm)



Success Rate, Treatment



and Multistage Treatment



Upper pole5810.6 (35-4)90% and 97%
Middle pole3011.1 (23-4)90% and 93%
Lower pole10314.8 (40-3)79% and 85%
Renal pelvic3720.5 (60-6)78% and 95%
Totals22881% and 90%
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