title: Current status of ureteroscopic treatment for urolithiasis.
abstract: Intracorporeal treatment of urolithiasis is characterized by continuous technological evolution. In this review we present updated data upon the use of ureteroscopy for the management of urolithiasis. Novel digital flexible ureteroscopes are used in clinical practice. Ureteroscopic working tools are revolutionized resulting in safer and more efficient procedures. Special categories of stone patients such as pregnant women, children and patients on anticoagulation medication can now undergo uneventful ureteroscopy. Routine insertion of stents and access sheaths as well as bilateral ureteroscopy is still a controversial issue. Future perspectives include smaller and better instruments to visualize and treat a stone, while robotic ureteroscopy is becoming a fascinating reality.
authors.affiliation: Athens Medical School, 2nd Department of Urology, Sismanoglio Hospital, Athens, Greece. andskol@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Andreas A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Skolarikos
authors.forename: Athanasios G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Papatsoris
authors.forename: Iraklis C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Mitsogiannis
authors.forename: Lefteris
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chatzidarellis
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liakouras
authors.forename: Charalambos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deliveliotis
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020709:Ureteroscopes / Q000639:trends; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000628:therapy*