Can We Provide Low Intrarenal Pressures with Good Irrigation Flow by Decreasing the Size of Ureteral Access Sheaths?

Abstract

Background and purpose: Flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) plays a major role in the management of kidney stones. Ureteral access sheaths (UAS) are important tools for F-URS. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the difference in intrarenal pressures between different flexible ureteroscopes while using the same UAS and to calculate the irrigation flow variance.

Materials and methods: Eight different flexible ureteroscopes were tested with five different UAS on an artificial kidney model to measure intrarenal pressures and irrigation flow. Irrigation at 60 cmH2O pressure was performed; the pressure and the irrigation flow amount were recorded with different states of the operator channel: Free, with the laser fiber (272 μm), and with the nitinol basket (1.9F) inside.

Results: The highest pressure recorded was 46.68 cmH2O with Wolf Boa and 9.5/11.5F Cook Medical UAS. All the ureteroscopes that fit inside the 10/12F Coloplast ReTrace provided pressures below 40 cmH2O. The inner diameter of the 10/12F Rocamed Bi-Flex is actually 11F, so intrarenal pressures were lower and irrigation flow was higher. With the 11/13F Boston Scientific Navigator HD and 12/14F Coloplast ReTrace, the pressures were very low. The irrigation flow measurements were in concordance with pressure measurements.

Conclusion: The ureteroscope sizes diminished with advancements in technology. Small-sized ureteroscopes can provide low intrarenal pressures with good irrigation flow when used with convenient small-sized access sheaths. The compatibility between the ureteroscopes and UASs should be anticipated by all endourologists and considered during F-URS. The advantages of 10/12 UASs in terms of intrarenal pressure and irrigational flow should make these access sheaths an interesting first-line choice.