Prevention of wrong site surgery during upper tract endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Medical device safety
• Surgical error prevention
• Endoscopic surgery

Background:

• Wrong-side surgery remains a significant patient safety concern.
• Standard surgical verification protocols may not always prevent side errors in endoscopic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of radiopaque stickers in preventing wrong-side endoscopic upper tract surgeries.
• To evaluate patient acceptance of radiopaque markers during preoperative verification.

Main Methods:

• Radiopaque markers, labeled "R" and "L", were applied before planned endoscopic surgeries.
• Marker visibility was confirmed using fluoroscopy to ensure correct surgical site identification.

Main Results:

• The radiopaque stickers proved to be a valuable tool in preventing wrong-side endoscopic upper tract procedures.
• Patients reported positive acceptance of the markers during their preoperative surgical verification process.

Conclusions:

• Radiopaque stickers are a practical and effective aid for preventing wrong-side surgery in upper tract endoscopic procedures.
• The use of these markers enhances patient safety and improves the preoperative verification process.