Ambulatory bilateral same-session vs. unilateral ureteroscopy: A multicentre cohort study

To evaluate the safety, efficacy and feasibility of ambulatory bilateral same-session retrograde intrarenal surgery (BSS-RIRS) compared to unilateral RIRS, under a standardized clinical protocol.

We conducted a retrospective multicentre cohort study including 202 adult patients who underwent ambulatory bilateral same-session RIRS (BSS-RIRS) or unilateral RIRS between January 1 and December 31, 2024. All included patients had complete perioperative data and postoperative non-contrast CT imaging at 4-6 weeks. Of these, 95 underwent BSS-RIRS and 107 underwent unilateral RIRS. Demographic, clinical and operative variables were analysed. Stone-free status (defined as residual fragments ≤4 mm) and complication rates (within 30 days) were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.

BSS-RIRS patients had significantly longer operative times compared to the unilateral group (106.9 vs. 87.3 minutes, p < 0.001) and were more likely to be treated with thulium lasers (73.4% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.003). Preoperative stenting was notably less common in the BSS-RIRS group (39% vs. 65.4%, p < 0.001). Despite these differences, early complication rates remained low and statistically similar between groups (2.1% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.49), with adjusted regression analysis showing a possible non-inferior BSS-RIRS early complication rate (OR 0.36, p = 0.209). Overall stone-free rates were comparable (85.3% vs. 82.3%, p = 0.56). In regression analysis, bilateral RIRS showed increased odds of stone-free status, but this was not statistically supported (adjusted OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.64-4.10, p = 0.309). Grade A stone-free status (0 mm residual) was significantly lower in the bilateral group (72.8% vs. 93.2%, p < 0.001).

Ambulatory BSS-RIRS is a safe and effective approach for managing bilateral renal stones, offering comparable overall stone-free rates and complication profiles to unilateral RIRS. Additionally, it provides procedural efficiency and potential cost-effectiveness when applied in appropriately selected cases. Further studies are warranted to refine patient selection criteria and validate long-term outcomes.