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Flexible and navigable suction access sheaths: balancing sheath and scope size for desired flows
Richard Menzies-Wilson1, Jessica Williams2, Thijs Ruiken1
1Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Flexible and navigable suction (FANS) access sheaths allow higher irrigation pressures and flow rates during ureteroscopy while maintaining low intrarenal pressure (IRP). This technique, without suction, can significantly increase fluid flow compared to gravity irrigation.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- Ureteroscopy requires adequate irrigation to maintain visibility and reduce thermal injury.
- Intrarenal pressure (IRP) can increase during ureteroscopy, posing risks to renal function.
- Optimizing irrigation parameters is crucial for effective and safe ureteroscopic procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ureteroscope diameter, flexible and navigable suction (FANS) access sheath diameter, and irrigation pressure on IRP and fluid flow rates.
- To compare ex vivo benchtop data with mathematical modeling predictions.
- To determine optimal irrigation parameters for maintaining a safe IRP during ureteroscopy.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo porcine kidneys were used to assess the effects of different ureteroscope and FANS sheath sizes.
- Irrigation pressures ranging from 0 to 200 mmHg were applied without suction.
- Intrarenal pressure (IRP) and steady-state flow rates were recorded and compared to mathematical models.
Main Results:
- FANS and ureteroscope geometry significantly influence outflow resistance and achievable flow rates.
- With an 11/13-F FANS, maintaining IRP ≤30 mmHg allowed up to ~120 mL/min flow with a 6.3-F ureteroscope.
- Higher irrigation pressures and flow rates were possible with smaller ureteroscopes and FANS sheaths, while keeping IRP low.
Conclusions:
- FANS use in the renal pelvis facilitates higher irrigation pressures and flow rates with low IRP, even without suction.
- Intraoperative IRP monitoring can guide increased irrigation pressure, potentially achieving flow rates up to 24 times higher than gravity irrigation.
- This approach offers a promising method for enhancing irrigation efficiency and safety in ureteroscopy.
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