Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026

In Vitro Rearing of Solitary Bees: A Tool for Assessing Larval Risk Factors
Published on: July 16, 2018
Steep Infundibulopelvic Angle as a New Risk Factor for Flexible Ureteroscope Damage and Complicated Postoperative
Tomasz Ozimek1, Jens Cordes1, Judith R Wiessmeyer1
1Department of Urology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein , Luebeck, Germany .
Objective:
The increasing number of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) procedures, the fragility of devices, and their growing repair costs represent a substantial burden for urological departments worldwide. No risk factors of flexible ureteroscope damage have been identified so far. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of infundibulopelvic angle (IPA) on device damage and on other intraoperative and postoperative factors such as length of hospital stay, surgical complications, stone-free rate (SFR), operation, and fluoroscopy time.
Materials And Methods:
In a retrospective monocentric study, IPA was measured based on intraoperative retrograde pyelography images taken during fURS. All procedures were conducted with modern reusable flexible ureteroscopes: Karl Storz Flex-X2 or Olympus URF-V. Statistical analysis was performed in RStudio (version 1.0.136) with the unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) was measured whenever applicable.
Results:
In total, 381 fURS performed between September 2013 and March 2017 were analyzed: 260 (68.24%) for kidney stone operation and 121 (31.76%) for diagnostic purposes; of these, 38 (9.97%) devices were postoperatively deemed defective. IPA values were significantly steeper in cases with flexible ureteroscope damage compared to cases without damage (median 42.5 degrees vs 56.0, p < 0.001). Steeper IPA was significantly associated with the occurrence of Clavien-Dindo ≥2 complications (median 51.0 degrees vs 55.0, p = 0.005) as well as prolonged hospital stay (median 51.0 degrees vs 55.0, p = 0.014). No influence on SFR was observed (p > 0.05). IPA did not correlate with operation or fluoroscopy time.
Conclusions:
Steep IPA can be considered the first risk factor predicting both flexible ureteroscope damage and an unfavorable postoperative course. A better understanding of damage mechanisms is the key for the proper indications to use costly single-use devices.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Contact Angle
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive...
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
Relative Risk
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

