title: Evaluation of dusting versus basketing - can new technologies improve stone-free rates?
abstract: Over the past two decades, the management of upper-tract urinary stones has dramatically changed towards an increase in the use of ureteroscopic treatment. This change has been driven by technological advances such as the creation of flexible ureteroscopes with reduced calibre (which now have digital, disposable and dual flexion capability) and holmium lasers with increased power. Two basic principles exist when treating stones ureteroscopically: either creating stone dust and small fragments (<1-2 mm) to theoretically enable spontaneous passage of the small particles or stone fragmentation that enables safe extraction of the stone pieces with a basket or grasper in an efficient manner. Each method has unique advantages and disadvantages, but, ultimately, surgeon preference, stone size, composition, location and intrarenal and/or ureteral anatomy determine which technique is used. To date, clinical trials comparing these two techniques are lacking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Division of Endourology and Stone Disease, Department of Urology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Ojas
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy*; D020709:Ureteroscopes; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods*