First clinical evaluation of a new single-use flexible ureteroscope (LithoVue™): a European prospective multicentric feasibility study.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated a new digital single-use flexible ureteroscope, LithoVue™ with respect to deflection, image quality and maneuverability.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted in eight tertiary reference centers in Europe in December 2015 and January 2016. All consecutive patients included underwent flexible ureteroscopy and were 18 years or older. Deflection and image quality pre- and post-use and maneuverability were rated with a Likert scale.


RESULTS
A total of 40 procedures were performed (five per institution). The indication for FURS was treatment of renal stones in 92.5 % of the cases. Before LithoVue™ usage, the median measured upward and downward deflections were both 270°. Image quality was rated as "very good" in 65 % of cases and "good" in 30 %. Maneuverability was "very good" in 77.5 % and "good" in 17.5 %. At the final evaluation, median upward and downward deflections were both 270°. Image quality was still "very good" in 65 % of cases and "good" in 30 % with no significant difference compared with preoperative data (p = 1). Maneuverability was "very good" in 72.5 % and "good" in 17.5 %, with no significant difference compared with preoperative data (p = 0.92). Two LithoVue™ broke during surgery (5 %): one occurring in extreme deflection with acute infundibulopelvic angle and spontaneous loss of vision for the second one.


CONCLUSIONS
The LithoVue™ displayed good image quality, active deflection and maneuverability. Further evaluation of surgical outcomes and cost analysis will help to present the best utility of this single-use FURS in current practice.
Department of Urology, Tenon Hospital, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France. steeve.doizi@aphp.fr.|Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris, France. steeve.doizi@aphp.fr.|Groupe de Recherche Clinique sur la Lithiase Urinaire, Tenon Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France. steeve.doizi@aphp.fr.
Steeve
S
Doizi
Department of Urology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Guido
G
Kamphuis
Ville Turro Division, Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Guido
G
Giusti
Department of Urology, Lillebaelt Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Fredericia, Denmark.
Kim Hovgaard
KH
Andreassen
Department of Urology, Klinikum Sindelfingen-Böblingen, Sindelfingen, Germany.
Thomas
T
Knoll
Department of Urology, Lillebaelt Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Fredericia, Denmark.
Palle Jörn
PJ
Osther
Department of Urology, Cottolengo Hospita, Turin, Italy.
Cesare
C
Scoffone
Department of Urology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago De Compostela, Spain.
Daniel
D
Pérez-Fentes
Ville Turro Division, Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Silvia
S
Proietti
Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Oliver
O
Wiseman
Department of Urology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jean
J
de la Rosette
Department of Urology, Tenon Hospital, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.|Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris, France.|Groupe de Recherche Clinique sur la Lithiase Urinaire, Tenon Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
Olivier
O
Traxer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004867:Equipment Design; D005060:Europe; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D020709:Ureteroscopes; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods*
Digital flexible ureteroscope; Disposable; Flexible ureteroscopy; Single use
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