Ureteroscopy

A ureteroscopy is a medical examination of the upper urinary tract, usually performed with a ureteroscope that is passed through the urethra and the bladder, and then directly into the ureter.^[1] The procedure is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders such as kidney stones and urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.^[1] Smaller stones in the bladder or lower ureter can be removed in one piece, while bigger ones are usually broken before removal during a ureteroscopy.^{[citation needed]}

Ureteroscopy
ICD-9-CM	56.31
MeSH	D018666

The examination may be performed with either a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid device while the patient is under anesthesia.^[1] In specific cases, the patient is free to go home after the examination.^[2]

In pyeloscopy, the endoscope is designed to reach all the way to the renal pelvis (also called pyelum), thereby allowing visualisation of the entire drainage system of the kidney.^[3] The endoscope can contain an instrument port which allows for introduction of laser fibres to fragment stones, and micro-baskets to retrieve stone fragments.^[3] Kidney stones up to 2 cm in size can be treated by pyeloscopy.^[3]