The dilemma of 12/14F ureteral access sheath (UAS) usage: a case control study

Abstract

Abstract Background The insertion of a ureteral access sheath (UAS) is a frequent procedure during flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) to facilitate kidney stone treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 12/14 French (F) UAS on fURS outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective monocentric analysis of fURS procedures conducted at the Department of Urology (University Hospital Schleswig–Holstein, Lübeck, Germany) for kidney stone treatment via lithotripsy or basket stone retrieval between September 2013 and June 2017. Uni- and multivariate analyses were done with the help of RStudio (Version 1.0.136) software. Results In total, 283 consecutive fURS were analyzed. UAS was applied in 98 cases (34.63%). The insertion of UAS was preferred in cases with multiple kidney stones and larger median maximal stone diameter (p 0.05). Conclusions 12/14F UAS does not seem to improve overall outcomes in fURS for kidney stones. In patients with multiple kidney stones it may be associated with elevated operation time without a clear benefit in terms of improved stone-free status or reduced perioperative complication rate. Further prospective randomized studies to specify the indications for UAS usage are urgently needed.

Keywords

• Flexible ureteroscopy
• Ureteral access sheath
• Kidney stones
• Urolithiasis
• Complications