Retrograde endopyelotomy using an original home-made diathermy probe.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an easily home-made diathermy probe for the performance of retrograde endopyelotomies using a small-caliber rigid ureteroscope.


METHODS
The diathermy probe is easily built by putting a rigid guidewire through a 5F ureteral catheter, the distal tip being naked and slightly bent. The other end is linked to the electric generator. Among a total of 24 retrograde endopyelotomies performed to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the last 7 years, five were done using this device.


RESULTS
Surgery with the probe took an average of 30 minutes. There were no complications, and, as of today, all cases are successes.


CONCLUSIONS
This device allows the performance of retrograde endopyelotomy using a small-caliber ureteroscope. Long-term results will presumably match the good results obtained using the larger-caliber ureteroscopes with the classic cold knife.
Silva
E G
EG
Department of Urology and Transplantation, University Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal.
Rabaça
C C
CC
Figueiredo
A C
AC
Sousa
J A
JA
Morgado
E T
ET
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D020709:Ureteroscopes; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods*