A new type of ureteroscope demonstrates significant clinical advantages in treating ureteric stones, reducing postoperative infection risk and improving surgical outcomes compared to traditional ureteroscopes.
Ureteric stones are a common form of urinary tract stone that is found in the ureter, most cases of which can be managed with conservative treatment or minimally invasive surgery. While traditional ureteroscopes are effective, they often pose challenges related to surgical precision and postoperative complications. This study evaluated the performance of a newly designed ureteroscope in a clinical setting, focusing on its ability to improve surgical operability, reduce infection risk, and enhance patient outcomes.
The study included 120 patients with ureteric stones recruited between January–December 2023, randomly assigned to either the control group (traditional ureteroscope) or the experimental group (new ureteroscope). Data on preoperative and postoperative inflammatory markers were collected, including C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, urinalysis findings, and leukocyte counts. Both groups were comparable in preoperative demographics and general data (P>0.05). However, postoperative inflammatory markers were significantly reduced in the experimental group compared to the control group, with CRP >8 mg/L, WBC count >10×10⁹/L, urinalysis count >28/µL, and urine leukocyte count showing marked improvement (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression identified postoperative CRP (odds ratio [OR]: 7.03), WBC count (OR: 3.86), urinalysis count (OR=2.83), and urine leukocyte count (OR: 1.004) as significant predictors of postoperative infection.
These results suggest the new ureteroscope is a promising tool for clinical application, offering significant improvements over traditional methods. Future research should explore its broader adoption, focusing on long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness in diverse clinical settings. Its potential to optimise surgical workflows and patient care makes it a valuable innovation in urological practice.
Jenna Lorge, EMJ
Reference
Tong X et al. The application of new type ureteroscope and traditional linear ureteroscope in ureteric stone patients. BMC Urol. 2024;DOI:10.1186/s12894-024-01678-3.
