Surgical Technique to Achieve High Durability of Flexible Ureteroscopes: A Single Hospital Experience

Background: To describe a novel operative technique resulting in extended durability and improved ease of use of current flexible ureteroscopes (FURS). A surgical method employing a modified technique of using an Olympus digital flexible URF-V ureteroscope was developed.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 546 patients who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) using this modified approach performed by a single surgeon at our hospital, and investigated the outcome and durability of the ureteroscope.

Results: Through the study period, the URF-V ureteroscope required repair five times in total. During factory maintenance, distal working channel damage was noted twice, and outer bending rubber damage was noted once. The most recent two repairs were required due to laser penetration. Despite the damage and repairs, the deflection system was almost entirely intact after high-frequency use. The durability of FURS determines the efficacy of RIRS for renal stones.

Conclusion: In this report, we described our modified upside-down technique for manipulation of FURS under unequal dual deflection in order to preserve the deflection apparatus, which yielded a greatly prolonged durability. Additionally, the use of mimic drive turning decreased the time needed to train urologists.