North Bay Ontario

A Ureteroscopy is a procedure that allows a visual examination of the ureters and renal pelvis.  It is used to look for and deal with kidney stones stuck in the ureter or kidney as well as to identify and biopsy abnormal growths in the ureter and renal pelvis.

During a Ureteroscopy your Urologist is able to: examine areas of the upper urinary tract that do not show up well on X-rays or ultrasound. Also it is possible to use very small instruments such as biopsy forceps and laser fibres to deal with pathology found during the procedure (such as kidney stones and tumours of the ureter).  Usually this is a day surgery and you will be discharged home with pain medication the same day.


The Ureteroscopy

Please arrive at the hospital on time. You can expect to be at the hospital for several hours.  After the procedure you will be brought to the recovery unit to recover from you anesthetic.

The procedure

Ureterscopy is a surgical procedure performed in the OR under either a general anesthetic or a spinal anesthetic.  You should not feel any pain during your procedure.  The ureteroscopy is performed by inserting a very small camera up the tube that connects the bladder to the kidney on either side.  This allows visualization of the lining of the ureter and renal pelvis.  This can be done for a number of reasons, but the most common is to use a laser to break up kidney stones or to identify abnormal growths on the lining of the ureter and renal pelvis.

Risks

All surgical procedures have inherent risks associated with them.  Despite these risks being very low, we believe it is important that all patients who choose a surgical option are aware of the potential for unwanted outcomes.

Ureteroscopy is a very safe procedure, however, the risks do include anesthetic complications such as MI, Stroke, adverse drug reaction, or even death.  Specific to the surgery, damage to the ureter, including ureteral evulsion is a rare but real risk.  Common risks include blood in the urine, pain, and urinary urgency.  Urinary tract infection can be introduced with the scope rarely.  The most common reason for ureteroscopy is to remove kidney stones,  despite our best efforts, due to technical limitations, there is a small failure rate associated with this procedure.

After Ureteroscopy

After the ureteroscopy you will be brought to the recovery area to wake from your anesthetic.  Blood and burning with peeing is normal for several days.  Depending on the reason for the procedure you may be left with a soft rubber stent connecting the kidney to the bladder.  This is a temporary tube that can be removed either by pulling on strings left outside of the urethra or by undergoing a cystoscopy at a later date.   

Your doctor will discuss the results of the ureteroscopy  following and/or may also book a follow up appointment in his office or cystoscopy clinic.  You will be discharged home with a prescription for pain medication to be used as needed.

As mentioned, blood and burning with voiding is normal after this procedure.  It is recommended that you drink water and other fluids regularly and empty your bladder often to speed up the disappearance of these symptoms.

When Should I Call my Doctor?

You should contact our office if your bleeding or burning persists for more then a few days, if you are having a hard time passing your urine of if you develop a fever.

Q&A

1. What is a ureteroscope?

     It is a thin flexible or semi-rigid tube that contains a lens, light and instruments that is similar, but smaller, than a cystoscope. It can be used to visualize the "upper tracts" (ureters and renal collecting system) of the urinary tract and allows for specific procedures to be completed such as laser lithotripsy or stones and biopsies of concerning lesions. 

2. Will it hurt

     Depending on what additional procedures may be required, ureteroscopy could be painful and therefore is usually performed with either a regional or general anesthetic.  Sedation can be used in specific situations when required.  

     A short course of pain medication following the procedure is sometimes required for a few days.

3. How long will it take

     The procedure varies from a few minutes to several hours depending on the indication and what other procedures are requires.  However, the vast majority of ureteroscopic procedures are completed as out patient procedures, meaning you will go home the same day. 

Ureteroscopy

Urology North

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