En Bloc Versus Conventional Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors: A Single-center Prospective Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that en bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) improves the quality of tumor resection. A recent international collaborative consensus statement on ERBT underlined the lack of high-quality prospective studies precluding the achievement of solid conclusion on ERBT. OBJECTIVE: To compare conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumor (cTURBT) and ERBT. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This study (NCT04712201) was a prospective, randomized, noninferiority trial enrolling patients diagnosed with bladder cancer (BC) undergoing endoscopic intervention. Inclusion criteria were: tumor size ≤3 cm, three or fewer lesions, and no sign of muscle invasion and/or ureteral involvement. For a noninferiority rate in BC staging of 5% (α risk 2.5%; ß risk 20%), a total of 300 subjects were randomized to ERBT treatment at a 1:1.5 allocation ratio. INTERVENTION: TURBT and ERBT. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome was the presence of detrusor muscle at final histology. Secondary outcomes include BC staging, T1 substaging, artifacts, complications, the rate of adjuvant treatment, and oncological outcomes. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: From April 2018 to June 2021, 300 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 248 (83%) underwent the assigned intervention: 108 patients (44%) underwent cTURBT and 140 (57%) underwent ERBT. The rate of detrusor muscle presence for ERBT was noninferior to that for TURBT (94% vs 95%; p = 0.8). T1 substaging was feasible in 80% of cTURBT cases versus 100% of ERBT cases (p = 0.02). Complication rates, rates of postoperative adjuvant treatment, catheterization time, and hospital stay were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). The recurrence rate at median follow-up of 15 mo (interquartile range 7-28) was 18% for cTURBT versus 13% for ERBT (p = 0.16). Limitations include the single high-volume institution and the short-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has the highest level of evidence for comparison of ERBT versus TURBT. ERBT was noninferior to TURBT for BC staging. The rate of T1 substaging feasibility was significantly higher with ERBT. PATIENT SUMMARY: We compared two techniques for removing tumors from the bladder. The en bloc technique removes the tumor in one piece and is not inferior to the conventional method in terms of the quality of the surgical resection and cancer staging assessment.

Contemporary outcomes of bladder carcinoma in situ treated with an adequate bacille Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) responsiveness after initiation of an adequate BCG treatment (at least five of six instillations of induction and at least two of three instillations of maintenance) impacts oncological outcomes in patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder treated with BCG immunotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were available for 193 patients with bladder CIS with or without associated cTa/cT1 disease who received an adequate BCG treatment between 2008 and 2015. Bladder biopsies were taken at 6 months and patients were then stratified as either BCG responsive (negative biopsies) or BCG unresponsive (positive biopsies). Inverse probability weighting (IPW)-adjusted Kaplan-Meier and IPW-adjusted Cox regression were performed to compare progression-free survival (PFS), radical cystectomy-free survival (RCFS), overall survival OS, and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the two groups. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Comparing the BCG-responsive and BCG-unresponsive groups, IPW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed, respectively, a median (interquartile range) of PFS of 9 (5-15) vs 48.5 (28-77) months (P = 0.001), a RCFS of 11 (9-15) vs 49 (24-76) months (P < 0.001), and a CSS of 25 (13-60) vs 109 (78-307) months (P = 0.004). On IPW-adjusted Cox regression analysis, BCG-unresponsive patients had a worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-7.27), RCFS (HR 3.52, 95% CI 1.77-7), and CSS (HR 4.42, 95% CI 1.95-10.01). We found no significant differences for OS. CONCLUSION: Using an IPW method we found that lack of response after initiation of an adequate BCG treatment has prognostic implications beyond identification of complete response in patients with CIS. BCG-unresponsive patients, satisfying the novel definition of BCG unresponsive, showed a poor PFS, RCFS, and CSS. In this setting, the patients should be counselled regarding RC as a first option or enrolled in a clinical trial if they refuse RC or are unfit for surgery.

The Impact of Ureteroscopy following Computerized Tomography Urography in the Management of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We report the reliability of computerized tomography urography and ureteroscopy in the diagnosis and management of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2015 to November 2018 we prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed 244 cases of ureteroscopy with available preoperative computerized tomography urography. Computerized tomography urography was categorized as positive, suspicious, unlikely and negative. Correspondence between imaging, ureteroscopy and histology was analyzed. The therapeutic indication, based on 2020 EAU Guidelines and patient clinical data, was recorded before and after ureteroscopy. Cohen's Kappa was used for agreement analysis. Logistic regression was used for prediction of positive ureteroscopy. RESULTS: Ureteroscopy was positive for upper tract urothelial carcinoma in 107/115 (93%), 48/77 (62.3%), 15/27 (55.6%) and 12/25 (48%) cases with positive, suspicious, unlikely and negative computerized tomography urography, respectively. On cytohistology the result was confirmed in 164/182 (90.1%) cases. The positive predictive value of a filling defect, stenosis, thickening and hydronephrosis on computerized tomography urography was 87.7% (121/138 cases), 65.6% (21/32), 69.6% (64/92) and 79.7% (59/74), respectively. On multivariate analysis a filling defect (95% CI 2.76-11.5, OR 5.63, p <0.0001) or hydronephrosis (1.04-6.18, OR 2.52, p=0.04) was associated with ureteroscopy outcome. Among cases with positive computerized tomography urography and ureteroscopy, the lesions differed in dimensions (20/107), number (14/107) and site (11/107), for a total of 45/107 (42.1%) cases. The indication of elective treatment changed after ureteroscopy in 37/76 (48.1%) cases (Kappa=0.31), as 17/28 (60.7%), 11/20 (55%) and 11/28 (39.2%) indications were confirmed for endoscopic management, ureterectomy and nephroureterectomy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The complementary use of computerized tomography urography and ureteroscopy in the diagnostic workup of upper tract urothelial carcinoma should be evaluated.

Diagnostic accuracy of ureteroscopic biopsy in predicting stage and grade at final pathology in upper tract urothelial carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of ureteroscopic (URS) biopsies in predicting stage and grade at final pathology in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Studies providing data on tumor stage and grade at URS biopsy and surgical specimens were included. The negative predictive value (NPV) implies concordance between the absence of subepithelial connective tissue invasion or the presence of low-grade tumors at URS biopsy and the absence of a muscle-invasive disease in the final pathology. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies were included (3547 patients). The stage-to-stage match between URS biopsy/final pathology showed a positive predictive value (PPV) for cT1+/muscle-invasive disease of 94% (95% CI: 84%-100%) and a NPV for cTa-Tis/non-muscle-invasive disease of 60% (95% CI: 52%-68%). The grade-to-grade match between URS biopsy/final pathology was 66% (95% CI: 55%-77%) for low-grade (cLG/pLG) tumors and 97% (95% CI: 94%-98%) for high-grade (cHG/pHG) tumors. The PPV for cHG/muscle-invasive disease was 60% (95% CI: 54%-66%) and the NPV for cLG/non-muscle-invasive disease was 77% (95% CI: 73%-82%). The undergrading and understaging rates were 32% (95%CI: 25%-38%) and 46% (95% CI: 38%-54%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial correlation between tumor grade at URS biopsy and the final pathology. The identification of cHG tumors and subepithelial connective tissue invasion (cT1+) in URS biopsy showed a moderate and a strong correlation with invasive UTUC, respectively. Nevertheless, a certain risk of undergrading and understaging should be assumed.

En bloc resection of bladder tumors: indications, techniques, and future directions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: En bloc resection of bladder tumor (ERBT) is an innovative new surgical technique, the use of which is becoming increasingly widespread. In this review, we analyze the recent literature and explore new developments, which may impact the future role of en bloc bladder surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: ERBT increases the frequency with which detrusor muscle is present in the specimen (to 95%) and offers a significant improvement in the quality of the resection specimen, thereby helping with T1 substaging. Furthermore, the laser treatment reduces the rate of obturator nerve-related bladder perforation. SUMMARY: ERBT represents a considerable advancement in the surgical management of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer. It delivers excellent oncological results and is a well tolerated procedure. VIDEO: In the accompanying video, we shortly report the different modalities and energy sources used for bladder cancer resection. The three strategies are currently employed at the Fundació Puigvert (Barcelona). VIDEO ABSTRACT:.

[Ultrasound-guided cryotherapy of small renal masses: Systematic review.] / Crioterapia renal guiada por ecografía para el tratamiento de masas renales de pequeño tamaño: revisión sistemática.

OBJECTIVE: Renal cryotherapy (RC) is an alternative therapeutic option to partial nephrectomy in elderly patients and/or patients with comorbidities. The technique can be guided by ultrasound, CT and MRI. Although CT is the most used technique, there are no comparative studies. The objective of this study was to review the current status of ultrasound as a guide for the planning and execution of RC. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in the Pubmed/Medline database following the PRISMA guidelines. We used 42 articles that met the inclusion criteria for the synthesis of the evidence. RESULTS: Ultrasound allows dynamic and real-time monitoring of the entire procedure to guide the biopsy, placement of the cryoprobes, cryoball formation, and early identification of complications. The success rate and recurrences found in the percutaneous renal cryotherapy (PRC) were 97.04% and 1.81%, respectively, with 9.35% complications. The ultrasound during laparoscopic renal cryotherapy (LRC) has been shown to reduce the time spent in localizing the renal mass and also decreases the need for large dissections. On the other hand, contrast-enhanced ultrasound during follow-up shows a concordance with the CT or MRI of 72-96% and no complications have been described associated with its execution. CONCLUSION: Renal cryotherapy guided by ultrasound is a feasible technique, its main advantage is based on real-time monitoring during the procedure. The PRC presents an acceptable rate of complications and excellent oncological results. The LRC allows a rapid localization of the renal mass and reduces extensive dissections. During follow-up, the use of contrast ultrasound is a safe alternative that has been shown to have a good degree of agreement with respect to CT and MRI.

OBJETIVO: La crioterapia renal (CR) es una opción terapéutica alternativa a la nefrectomía parcial en pacientes de edad avanzada y/o comorbilidades. La técnica puede realizarse guiada por ecografía, TC y RM. Aunque la TC es la técnica mas utilizada, no existen estudios comparativos. El objetivo de este estudio fue revisar el estado actual de la ecografía como guía para la planificación y ejecución de la CR.MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura en la base de datos Pubmed/Medline siguiendo las normas PRISMA. Se utilizaron 42 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión para la síntesis de la evidencia. RESULTADOS: La ecografía permite la monitorización dinámica y en tiempo real de todo el procedimiento permitiendo guiar la toma de biopsia, colocación de las criosondas, formación de la criobola, así como la identificación temprana de complicaciones. La tasa de éxito y recurrencias encontradas en la CR Percutánea (CRP) fue de 97,04% y 1,81%, respectivamente, con un 9,35 % de complicaciones. La ecografía en CR Laparoscópica (CRL) ha mostrado reducir el tiempo empleado en la localización de la masa renal e igualmente disminuye la necesidad de grandes disecciones. La ecografía con contraste durante el seguimiento muestra una concordancia con la TC o RMN de 72-96% y no se han descrito complicaciones asociadas a su ejecución.CONCLUSIÓN: La CR guiada por ecografía es una técnica factible cuya principal ventaja se basa en la monitorización a tiempo real durante el procedimiento. La CRP presenta tasa de complicaciones y resultados oncológicos aceptables. Mediante la CRL se puede realizar una localización rápida de la masa renal y reduce las disecciones extensas. Durante el seguimiento, el uso de la ecografía con contraste es una alternativa segura que ha mostrado tener buen grado de concordancia con respecto a la TC y la RMN.

[Confocal laser endomicroscopy for the treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cellcarcinoma.] / Endomicroscopía láser confocal en el tratamiento del tumor urotelial del tracto urinario superior.

OBJECTIVES: Confocal lasser endomicroscopy (CLE) is an optical technique that enables in vivo cytological characterization of a tissue. Previous studies have shown it useful in the evaluation of urinary and respiratory tracts for a better characterization of mucosal lesions, showing a high concordance between in vivo and final histopathological results. Recently, the use of CLE has been proposed for the study of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT) during ureteroscopy, because it enables real time information about tumor grade and supplements the information of ureteroscopic biopsies, which may understimate the grade and stage of the lesion up to 43% of the cases due to its limitiations. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature in the Pubmed/Medline database following the PRISMA standard. We selected 20 articles that complied with the inclusion criteria for evidence synthesis. RESULTS: Equipment miniaturization has enabled CLE as part of the diagnostic options in upper urinary tract tumors. This technique performs in vivo cytological characterization of the evaluated tissue, accomplishing differentiation between tumor and normal tissue, as well as tumor grade identification. Its communicated sensitivity and specificity reach 79%/78% respectively for low grade tumors and 67%/79% for high grade, with a substantial inter observer concordance (surgeon/pathologist; k = 0.64). No complications have been communicated in the literature with the use of fluorescein or confocal laser microscopy probes in patients undergoing this technique. CONCLUSIONS: CLE represents a useful and safe tool, capable of providing cytological real time information of UUT tumors that enables tumor grade identification with substantial concordance between in vivo tumor typifying and the final histopathological analysis. For this, CLE is currently considered a tool for conservative management of UUT transitional cell carcinoma in the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines.

OBJETIVOS: La endomicroscopía láser confocal (CLE) es una técnica óptica que permite la caracterización citológica en vivo de un tejido. Estudios previos en lesiones del tracto digestivo y respiratorio han mostrado una alta concordancia entre el resultado en vivo y el resultado histopatológico. Recientemente, se ha propuesto el uso de la CLE en el estudio del tracto urinario superior (TUS) durante la ureteroscopia, ya que permite obtener información a tiempo real del grado tumoral y complementa la información de las biopsias ureteroscópicas, que dadas sus limitaciones, pueden infraestimar el grado y el estadío de la lesión hasta en un 43% de los casos.MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura en la base de datos Pubmed/Medline siguiendo las normas PRISMA. Se utilizaron 21 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión para la síntesis de la evidencia. RESULTADOS: La sensibilidad y especificidad descrita, alcanza el 79%/78% y 67%/79% para tumores de bajo y alto grado respectivamente, con una concordancia sustancial entre observadores (cirujano/anatomopatólogo; K = 0,64). No se han reportado complicaciones asociadas a la utilización de la fluoresceína ni sondas de CLE. CONCLUSIONES: La CLE representa una herramienta útil y segura, capaz de proporcionar información citológica de tumores del TUS en tiempo real que permite la identificación del grado tumoral con sustancial grado de acuerdo entre la tipificación en vivo y su análisis histopatológico final. Por este motivo, actualmente, la CLE es considerada como una herramienta en el manejo conservador del carcinoma del TUS en las guidelines de la European Association of Urology (EAU).

Endomicroscopía láser confocal en el tratamiento del tumor urotelial del tracto urinario superior / Confocal laser endomicroscopy for the treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cellcarcinoma

Objetivos: La endomicroscopía láser confocal (CLE) es una técnica óptica que permite la caracterización citológica en vivo de un tejido. Estudios previos en lesiones del tracto digestivo y respiratorio han mostrado una alta concordancia entre el resultado en vivo y el resultado histopatológico. Recientemente, se ha propuesto el uso de la CLE en el estudio del tracto urinario superior (TUS) durante la ureteroscopia, ya que permite obtener información a tiempo real del grado tumoral y complementa la información de las biopsias ureteroscópicas, que dadas sus limitaciones, pueden infraestimar el grado y el estadío de la lesión hasta en un 43% de los casos. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura en la base de datos Pubmed/Medline siguiendo las normas Prisma. Se utilizaron 21 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión para la síntesis de la evidencia. Resultados: La sensibilidad y especificidad descrita, alcanza el 79%/78% y 67%/79% para tumores de bajo y alto grado respectivamente, con una concordancia sustancial entre observadores cirujano/anatomopatólogo; K=0,64). No se han reportado complicaciones asociadas a la utilización de la fluoresceína ni sondas de CLE. Conclusiones: La CLE representa una herramienta útil y segura, capaz de proporcionar información citológica de tumores del TUS en tiempo real que permitela identificación del grado tumoral con sustancial grado de acuerdo entre la tipificación en vivo y su análisis histopatológico final. Por este motivo, actualmente, la CLE es considerada como una herramienta en el manejo conservador del carcinoma del TUS en las guidelines de la European Association of Urology (EAU)

Objectives: Confocal lasser endomicroscopy (CLE) is an optical technique that enables in vivo cytological characterization of a tissue. Previous studies have shown it useful in the evaluation of urinary and respiratory tracts for a better characterization of mucosal lesions, showing a high concordance between in vivo and final histopathological results. Recently, the use of CLE has been proposed for the study of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UUT) during ureteroscopy, because it enables real time information about tumor grade and supplements the information of ureteroscopic biopsies, which may understimate the grade and stage of the lesion up to 43% of the cases due to its limitiations. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature in the Pubmed/Medline database following the PRISMA standard. We selected 20 articles that complied with the inclusion criteria for evidence synthesis. Results: Equipment miniaturization has enabled CLE as part of the diagnostic options in upper urinary tract tumors. This technique performs in vivo cytological characterization of the evaluated tissue, accomplishing differentiation between tumor and normal tissue, as well as tumor grade identification. Its communicated sensitivity and specificity reach 79%/78% respectively for low grade tumors and 67%/79% for high grade, with a substantial inter observer concordance (surgeon/pathologist;k=0.64). No complications have been communicated in the literature with the use of fluorescein or confocal laser microscopy probes in patients undergoing this technique. CONCLUSIONS: CLE represents a useful and safe tool, capable of providing cytological real time information of UUT tumors that enables tumor grade identification with substantial concordance between in vivo tumor typifying and the final histopathological analysis. For this, CLE is currently considered a tool for conservative management of UUT transitional cell carcinoma in the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines

Crioterapia renal guiada por ecografía para el tratamiento de masas renales de pequeño tamaño: revisión sistemática / Ultrasound-guided cryotherapy of small renal masses: Systematic review

Objetivo: La crioterapia renal (CR) es una opción terapéutica alternativa a la nefrectomía parcial en pacientes de edad avanzada y/o comorbilidades. La técnica puede realizarse guiada por ecografía, TC y RM. Aunque la TC es la técnica más utilizada, no existen estudios comparativos. El objetivo de este estudio fue revisar el estado actual de la ecografía como guía para la planificación y ejecución de la CR. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura en la base de datos Pubmed/Medline siguiendo las normas PRISMA. Se utilizaron 42 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión para la síntesis de la evidencia. Resultados: La ecografía permite la monitorización dinámica y en tiempo real de todo el procedimiento permitiendo guiar la toma de biopsia, colocación de las criosondas, formación de la criobola, así como la identificación temprana de complicaciones. La tasa de éxito y recurrencias encontradas en la CR Percutánea (CRP) fue de 97,04% y 1,81%, respectivamente, con un 9,35 % de complicaciones. La ecografía en CR Laparoscópica (CRL) ha mostrado reducir el tiempo empleado en la localización de la masa renal e igualmente disminuye la necesidad de grandes disecciones. La ecografía con contraste durante el seguimiento muestra una concordancia con la TC o RMN de 72-96% y no se han descrito complicaciones asociadas a su ejecución. Conclusión: La CR guiada por ecografía es una técnica factible cuya principal ventaja se basa en la monitorización a tiempo real durante el procedimiento. La CRP presenta tasa de complicaciones y resultados oncológicos aceptables. Mediante la CRL se puede realizar una localización rápida de la masa renal y reduce las disecciones extensas. Durante el seguimiento, el uso de la ecografía con contraste es una alternativa segura que ha mostrado tener buen grado de concordancia con respecto a la TC y la RMN

Objective: Renal cryotherapy (RC) is an alternative therapeutic option to partial nephrectomy in elderly patients and/or patients with comorbidities. The technique can be guided by ultrasound, CT and MRI. Although CT is the most used technique, there are no comparative studies. The objective of this study was to review the current status of ultrasound as a guide for the planning and execution of RC. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in the Pubmed/Medline database following the PRISMA guidelines. We used 42 articles that met the inclusion criteria for the synthesis of the evidence. Results: Ultrasound allows dynamic and real-time monitoring of the entire procedure to guide the biopsy, placement of the cryoprobes, cryoball formation, and early identification of complications. The success rate and recurrences found in the percutaneous renal cryotherapy (PRC) were 97.04% and 1.81%, respectively, with 9.35% complications. The ultrasound during laparoscopic renal cryotherapy (LRC) has been shown to reduce the time spent in localizing the renal mass and also decreases the need for large dissections. On the other hand, contrast-enhanced ultrasound during follow-up shows a concordance with the CT or MRI of 72-96% and no complications have been described associated with its execution. Conclusion: Renal cryotherapy guided by ultrasound is a feasible technique, its main advantage is based on real-time monitoring during the procedure. The PRC presents an acceptable rate of complications and excellent oncological results. The LRC allows a rapid localization of the renal mass and reduces extensive dissections. During follow-up, the use of contrast ultrasound is a safe alternative that has been shown to have a good degree of agreement with respect to CT and MRI

Laparoscopic Management of Chylous Leakage Using a Direct Lymph Node Injection with Methylene Blue as a Leakage Point Location Strategy in a Patient with Retroperitoneal Extragonadal Seminoma.

Background: The first-line treatment in cases of chylous leakage is conservative, and operation should be considered only in patients who fail to respond to this treatment. The main clinical concern is the difficulty of intraoperative localization of the site of leakage that can affect surgical outcome. Case Presentation: A 33-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of abdominal pain and weight loss. CT scan revealed enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Retroperitoneal lymph node biopsy was performed owing to the suspicion of lymphoproliferative disease, with a pathological result of nonspecific adenitis. Because of persistence of pain, an abdominal CT scan showed a large left retroperitoneal fluid collection that was found to be compatible with chyle after drainage. Conservative treatment was established, but because of its failure, surgical management was attempted by the laparoscopic approach. Intraoperative direct lymph node injection of methylene blue was used as a leakage point location strategy that allows selective ligation of the site of leakage. Thereafter a gradual reduction in chyle output to zero was observed. Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach could be a feasible and successful method for the management of chyle leakage in patients refractory to conservative treatment. Intraoperative direct lymph node injection of methylene blue could be a useful technique to facilitate detection of the site of leakage during operation.

First clinical evaluation of the new single-use flexible and semirigid Pusen ureteroscopes.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to clinically evaluate two new single-use Pusen ureteroscopes, one semirigid with a flexible tip (srURS) and one flexible (fURS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During ten consecutive procedures (five srURS and five fURS), we subjectively evaluated on a scale from 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent), the scope's deflection, image quality, and maneuverability prior to, during and after the surgery. Patient demographics, complications with the devices, and troubleshooting were recorded. RESULTS: There were a total of ten patients, five of which were female while the other five were male. Mean age was 58.9 years. Seven patients had a single kidney stone with mean size of 9.6 mm (1.6-20 mm). Half of the patients were pre-stented. For the fURS, the preoperative image quality rating was 8.4 (8-10), compared with 6.8 (4-9) during surgery. The preoperative deflection rating was 9.6+ 0.9 (8-10), while during surgery this decreased to 8.0 (6-10) and to 6.0 (4-8) when using a laser fiber. The srURS had a preoperative image quality rating of 9.2 (8-10), which decreased to 7.6 (6-9) while using the scope. The deflection rating decreased from 9.4 (7-10) preoperatively to 7.0 (1-10) postoperatively, and a similar reduction was observed in the maneuverability rating, from 9.6 (8-10) to 7.4 (1-10). Ureteroscopy was considered as a standard in four of the fURS and three of the srURS procedures. The mean overall satisfaction rating was 6. CONCLUSIONS: The two new single-use ureteroscopes, one flexible and one semirigid, were considered to have allowed standard ureteroscopy in four and three out of the five procedures for each scope, respectively. The image quality, deflection, and maneuverability ratings decreased during the procedure for both scopes.