Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial clinical experience with a single-use digital flexible ureteroscope (LithoVueâ„¢ Single-use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope, Boston Scientific Corporation, Marlborough, MA)

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of all cases utilizing LithoVueâ„¢ Single-use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope at 11 institutions.

Results

A total of 159 ureteroscopy procedures were performed, which included 184 renal units. Mean operative time was 61 minutes (standard deviation 34.8 minutes). Ureteroscopy was performed for treatment of 40 ureteral stones (mean diameter 7.6 mm), 119 renal stones (mean diameter 12.2 mm), 6 ureteral tumors, and 5 renal pelvis tumors. Ureteral access sheath was used for 53.8% of renal units, and ureteral stent was left in 77% of renal units. There were no major surgical complications. There was 1 case of technical equipment failure (image disappeared, surgeon changed to reusable ureteroscope), 3 cases of failure to reach a stone (2 lower pole, 1 calyceal diverticulum). Electrocautery artifact of the digital image limiting use of electrocautery was noted during 2 procedures for urothelial carcinoma._x000D_ _x000D_

Conclusions

LithoVueâ„¢ Single-use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope was used successfully in this initial clinical series of over 150 cases. In this pilot study, procedure failure rate was not inferior to reported rates of failure for reusable ureteroscopes.

Funding

none