Does sheath size matter: benchtop comparison of flow and pressure across variety of continuous flow endoscopes

Laser enucleation utilizes purpose-built endoscopes for laser stabilization and continuous flow. No evaluation has been done with respect to flow or intravesical pressure with these scopes. We sought to evaluate the effect different endoscopes and sheath sizes on irrigation outflow and intravesical pressure.

Using a benchtop model using a silicone bladder model, five outer/inner sheath combinations were assessed: Storz 28/26Fr, Storz 26/26Fr, Wolf 26/24Fr, Wolf 26/22Fr, and Wolf 24/22Fr. A urodynamics pressure transducer was inserted alongside the scope for bladder pressure measurement and outflow from scope to drain was measured using uroflowmetry device. Four 1-minute trials were recorded for each sheath and the steady state flow and pressure was recorded.

The Storz 28 F outer sheath and 26 F inner sheath had the highest outflow (12.4 ± 0.5 mL/s, p < 0.01). The Wolf 24 F outer and 22 F inner had the lowest outflow (7.0 ± 0.0 mL/s, p < 0.01). The steady state bladder pressure was the lowest in the Storz 28/26 (1.5 ± 1.7 cm H2O, p < 0.01)) and the greatest in the Storz 26/26 (24.2 ± 1.9 cm H2O, p < 0.01).

The Storz 28/26 combination had best outflow rate and lowest intravesical pressures in our benchtop study. Flow rates generally decreased with smaller sheath sizes and steady state bladder pressures increased as the difference between the outflow and inflow sheath size narrowed. These findings provide initial parameters that could guide sheath selection in future to optimize visualization and success of voiding trials.