[Diagnostic and therapeutic retrograde ureterorenoscopy (URS)]

Presentation of results obtained in 50 procedures of retrograde ureterorenoscopy (URS), and discussion based on the literature and our results, on the current indications for URS with regard to extracorporeal lithofragmentation (ECL) for the treatment of pelvic ureteral lithiasis and the diagnosis and/or treatment of other conditions. Fifty URS were performed in 47 patients between February 1992 and March 1994: 35 were conducted to treat ureteral lithiasis, achieving a 97% success rate and a mean post-surgery hospital stay of 48 hours; and for diagnostic and/or therapeutic reasons. There were no major complications, and a description is made of minors cases. We prefer to use URS in those cases of distal ureteral lithiasis, as compared to ECL, because of its level of efficacy (higher than or equal to ECL), low cost/benefit ratio, low morbidity and shorter hospital stay involved. The paper emphasizes the major diagnostic and therapeutical indications for URS, and finally, it is noted that URS can avoid undertaking other more aggressive urinary by-passes, since it allows to catheterize the ureters where a false intramural route is conducted.