What Happens During URSL Surgery?
Diagnosis
The urologists need to make some assessments before performing URSL. These assessments are made through a couple of diagnostic tests, including Imaging tests (X-ray, Abdominal Ultrasound, MRI), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test, Blood Test, and Urinalysis. The aim of carrying out these assessments is to figure out the size of the stone, the number of stones that need to be removed, and their location.
These tests also help doctors look for any underlying diseases that can cause complications in the procedure. The urologists will proceed with the procedure only after assessing the results of the tests carefully.
Procedure
This surgery is performed in the following steps:
The patient is administered spinal or general anesthesia, depending upon the requirement.
Then, the surgeon inserts a thin, long fiber-optic scope called a ureteroscope into the ureteral passage through the urethra. Simultaneously, the surgeon uses x-ray to see inside the kidneys and ureters and locate the stones exactly.
Once the stone is located, it is collected in a stone basket and eventually pulled out of the system.
If the stone is too large in size, then the surgeon uses a precision laser to break it into smaller pieces. The small stones can pass through the system naturally.
The surgeon usually inserts ureteral stents to help flush out the stones from the body. The stent expands the passage of the ureter, which makes it easier for the stone fragments to travel through the ureter and out of the body.
