Efficacy and Safety of Ureteroscopy Without Fluoroscopy During Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in Elderly Patients

Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) without fluoroscopy for treating renal or proximal ureteral calculi in an elderly patient population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who had RIRS for proximal ureteral or renal stones. Patients were not allowed to participate in the trial if they did not fit the inclusion criteria. Data on preoperative double J (DJ) stent, the side and location of the stone, the size of the stone, the length of surgery, stone-free rates, and complications were documented.

Results: Two hundred eighty-one patients who underwent fluoroless-RIRS (fRIRS) were included in the study. A total of 75 (26.6%) patients underwent general anesthesia and 206 (73.3%) patients underwent spinal anesthesia. The mean operation time was 36.8 ± 18.09 minutes. The mean duration of hospitalization was 1.5 ± 1.8 days. The stone-free rate at the end of the third month was 88.6% (249 patients). No major complications were observed in any patient. The overall complication rate was 7.8%. The most common complications were postoperative colic pain 9 (3.2%), followed by fever 7 (2.4%) and hematuria 6 (2.1%).

Conclusion: Retrograde intrarenal surgery can be performed safely and effectively without fluoroscopy to protect the entire surgical team and elderly patients from the harmful effects of fluoroscopy.

Cite this article as: Bürlükkara S, Baran Ö, Bozkurt U. Efficacy and safety of ureteroscopy without fluoroscopy during retrograde intrarenal surgery in elderly patients. Arch Basic Clin Res. 2025;7(1):43-47.