Under pressure: irrigation practice patterns during flexible ureteroscopy

Irrigation parameters during flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) may impact patient outcomes, yet there are limited data on current practice patterns of irrigation methods and parameter selection. We assessed the common irrigation methods, pressure settings, and situations that present the most problems with irrigation among worldwide endourologists.

A questionnaire on fURS practice patterns was sent to Endourology Society members in January 2021. Responses were collected through QualtricsXM over a 1-month period. The study was reported according to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). Surgeons were from North America (the United States and Canada), Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

Questionnaires were answered by 208 surgeons (response rate 14%). North American surgeons accounted for 36% of respondents; 29% Europe, 18% Asia, and 14% Latin America. In North America, the most common irrigation method was the pressurized saline bag using a manual inflatable cuff (55%). Saline bag (gravity) with a bulb or syringe injection system was the most common method in Europe (45%). Automated systems were the most common method in Asia (30%). For pressures used during fURS, the majority of respondents used 75-150 mmHg. The clinical scenario which had the greatest issue with adequate irrigation was during biopsy of urothelial tumor.

There is variation in irrigation practices and parameter selection during fURS. North American surgeons primarily used a pressurized saline bag, in contrast to European surgeons who preferred a gravity bag with a bulb/syringe system. Overall, automated irrigation systems were not commonly used.