title: Outcomes of flexible ureterorenoscopy and laser fragmentation for renal stones: comparison between digital and conventional ureteroscope.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes of flexible ureterorenoscopy and lasertripsy (FURS) using digital and conventional FURS for kidney stones.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2007 to April 2011, 118 patients underwent FURS (by the same surgeon). The outcomes were compared between equal numbers of procedures (59 each) using a conventional flexible ureterorenoscope (C-FURS; Olympus URF-P5) and a digital flexible ureterorenoscope (D-FURS; Olympus URF-V). Although the deflection, working channel, and field view are similar in both, the initial and terminal diameter is 8.4F and 9.9F and 6.9F and 8.4F for the D-FURS and C-FURS, respectively. The mean stone fragmentation time was calculated by the size per operative time. The preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were retrospectively analyzed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient demographics were comparable. The mean stone size was 12.8 and 12 mm in the C-FURS and D-FURS groups, respectively. The initial assessment of the entire pyelocaliceal system was possible in 58 of 59 cases (98%) in the C-FURS group and 56 of 59 cases (94%) in the D-FURS group. The mean operative time was significantly longer in the C-FURS group (53.8 ± 15.2 minutes vs 44.5 ± 14.9 minutes). The overall stone-free rate 1 month after the procedure was 86% in the C-FURS group and 88% in the D-FURS group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although on comparison, the D-FURS had slightly limited maneuverability, comparable success rates can be achieved with both conventional and digital ureteroscopes. D-FURSs significantly reduced the operative time compared with C-FURSs.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Southampton National Health Services Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bhaskar K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Somani
authors.forename: Saeed M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al-Qahtani
authors.forename: Sixtina Diez Gil
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: de Medina
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Traxer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020709:Ureteroscopes; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods*