Advances in ureterorenoscopy

Ureteroscopy was initially developed in the late 1970s to diagnose and treat conditions in the distal ureter [1,2]. The technique has improved dramatically over the past 2 decades, and has evolved into a minimally invasive procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of pathology within the upper urinary tract. Today, the vast majority of intrarenal calculi are accessible and treatable using a retrograde ureterorenoscopic approach. In this article, the authors highlight recent advances in semirigid ureteroscopy and flexible ureterorenoscopy, including improvements in ureteroscope design, video/imaging equipment, intracorporeal lithotripsy devices, accessory instruments, ureteral access, ureteral stents. ureterorenoscopy training, techniques in ureteroscopy, and expanding clinical indications for ureterorenoscopy.