[Technical innovations in endourological stone therapy]. / Technische Innovationen in der endoskopischen Steintherapie.

ABSTRACT

Endoscopic stone management is a field of consistent technical innovation. For ureterorenoscopy, flexible scopes capable of 270 degrees deflection have allowed access to the complete urinary tract, including the lower-pole renal calculi. To counter the flaw of high repair costs, new-generation flexible ureterorenoscopes feature significantly greater durability and a less frequent need for repair. The development and improvement of auxiliary instruments such as access sheaths has facilitated the procedures, reduced complications, and improved the stone-free rates. A similar trend is seen for percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PCNL). Development is directed at miniaturised instruments such as the mini-PCNL. Especially in combination with a tubeless procedure in which a routine nephrostomy after PCNL is omitted and the nephrostomy tract is closed using hemostyptic sealant, similar success rates are achieved, with fewer complications and shorter hospital stays.