ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize the management experience for difficult access during rigid transurethral ureteroscopy.Methods Rigid transurethral ureteroscopy was conducted in 640 patients with ureteral stones from January 1995 to November 2004.Difficult ureteroscope access was encountered in 72 patients and overcame by adjusting the pressure of hydraulic irrigation,changing the position of patient,dilating the ureter,or performing the percutaneous nephrostomy.Results Of the 72 patients with difficult retrograde access,successful ureteroscopy was achieved in 54 patients and conversions to open ureterolithotomy were required in 18 patients.Intraoperative complications included partial mucosal laceration in 10 patients and ureteral perforation in 6 patients.Follow-up examinations with intravenous pyelography for 13~36 months(mean,16 months) in 56 patients revealed patent ureter.Conclusions The key to successful retrograde access of rigid ureteroscope lies in the acquaintance with normal and pathologic anatomy and physiology of the ureter and urologist's operative skills and experience.