ABSTRACT

Urinary stone disease is a common health problem in the community. In the last two decades, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) have become popular as minimally invasive methods. The European Association of Urology 2014 urinary stones guideline recommends PNL as the first line of treatment for kidney stones above 20 mm. ESWL remains the first choice for stones of <1 cm within the renal pelvis and upper or middle calices. For kidney stones between 10 to 20 mm, the location and movement of the stone, stone type, calyx anatomy, and patients status contribute to the choice of treatment. RIRS in combination with holmium YAG laser is effective and safe. Initially, RIRS was offered for was lower calyceal stones, multiple stones, post-ESWL failure, comorbid illnesses, reduction in the diameter of development of surgical experience ureteroscopy, the development of optics providing better visibility, and the diversification of the equipment. At present, RIRS has become an alternative treatment modality to other minimally invasive therapy. It is thought that advances in technology will lead to more flexible instruments and surgical equipment for RIRS therapy. (JAREM 2015; 5: 85-8)

Keywords: Kidney stone, retrograde intrarenal surgery, ureteroscopy