Two cases of ureteroscopy and attempted stone disintegration complicated by disruption of the burr tip of the ultrasonic probe.

Ureteroscopy with endoscopic stone removal or stone disintegration has become an established technique for removal of ureteral stones. This rapidly advancing technology has not been without problems. We report 2 cases in which defects in the instruments led to failure of the endoscopic technique, and the stones and broken parts of the ultrasound probe were removed by an open operation. Convalescence was uneventful.