What is ureteroscopy? What are its complications? And what are the treatment steps? Who are the eligible patients? You can learn about how ureteroscopy is performed in Turkey.
Ureteroscopy (URS) is a minimally invasive procedure that is desirable for treating and removing small to medium-sized kidney stones located in any part of the urinary tract.
How is ureteroscopy (URS) performed in Turkey?
Ureteroscopy is usually performed under general anesthesia.
During this procedure, a ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra (urinary tract) and bladder into the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder) or the kidney.
X-ray images with a contrast agent injected into the ureter may be used by the urologist to determine the location of the stones and rule out other abnormalities.
The ureteroscope is long and thin, with a small fiber optic camera at its end. It is used to view beyond the bladder into the ureter.
Once the stone is located with the scope, it is removed directly using a “stone basket” or fragmented with a laser to break it into smaller pieces before extracting it with the basket.
A flexible scope resembling a long, thin suction device or a rigid scope may be used.
P H O T O 1
Who needs a ureteroscopy?
If you suffer from undiagnosed urinary tract issues, such as urinary obstruction (e.g., prostate enlargement), ureteroscopy can help identify the problem.
If you experience painful urination, you might need this procedure to diagnose the cause, depending on your symptoms and other test results.
Ureteroscopy is sometimes used as part of shock wave lithotripsy, a treatment for breaking up kidney stones.
Ureteroscopy is especially beneficial for:
- Pregnant women
- Overweight individuals
- People with blood clotting issues
Read about kidney transplants in Turkey – cost, top doctors, and best hospitals.
Benefits of ureteroscopy
Ureteroscopy is an effective method for several purposes. For instance, the endoscopic technique allows the urologist to:
- Obtain an obvious view of the urinary tract
- Remove and fragment urinary stones
- Obtain tissue samples from suspicious areas
Preparing for ureteroscopy
Always ask the specialist on the Bimaristan website about the steps of ureteroscopy and any specific instructions, as they may vary between hospitals.
Instructions may include:
- When to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners
- When to empty the bladder before the procedure
- When to take painkillers after the procedure (if necessary). Discuss this early with your nurse and/or doctor
- Returning home after hospital discharge
- Avoiding eating, drinking, or smoking for about 6-8 hours before the procedure to prepare for anesthesia
Before surgery, a healthcare team member, usually an anesthesiologist, will assess the appropriate anesthesia method for you.
Depending on the hospital where the ureteroscopy is performed, anesthesia methods may include:
- General anesthesia
- Epidural anesthesia (anesthesia used to numb the lower half of the body) with or without sedation
You may be asked to provide a urine sample before the ureteroscopy to perform a culture to diagnose and treat any existing urinary tract infection.
Read about kidney cancer treatment, Turkey, and cancer treatment at the lowest cost.
ureteroscopy procedure in Turkey (URS)
What happens during ureteroscopy?
P H O T O 2
Once the anesthesia takes effect and you are asleep, the urologist will insert the tip of the ureteroscope into the urethra (the tube through which urine passes from the bladder).
Once the ureteroscope is inside the bladder, the urologist will release a sterile solution through the scope’s tip. This fills the bladder for examination, allowing the walls to be seen more clearly, and the scope is gently passed through to view the ureters.
Ureteroscopy may take up to 30 minutes to view the urinary tract. If a procedure to remove or fragment a stone or to take a tissue sample for biopsy is performed, it may take longer.
Ureteroscopy using a laser to fragment small kidney stones may take about 90 minutes. The type of laser used for stone fragmentation with a ureteroscope is called a “holmium laser.”
Read about: The most important early symptoms of kidney failure and its Treatment in Turkey.
P H O T O 3
After ureteroscopy
After the ureteroscope is removed and the fluid in the bladder is drained, you will recover as the anesthesia wears off. This may take 1 to 4 hours.
Sometimes a stent (a small tube for support) is left in place, but more often, no stent is left.
You will likely be asked to drink 16 ounces of water per hour for the next two hours.
The patient may experience some pain when urinating and see a little blood in the urine for the next 24 hours. After that, there should not be much pain or discomfort.
Read more about dialysis shunt – arteriovenous shunt in Turkey.
What to expect after ureteroscopy in Turkey
In some patients, a small temporary tube called a stent is placed in the ureter. These stents facilitate urine flow into the bladder, as the ureter may swell after the procedure.
After surgery, you may have a urinary catheter. This is a tube inserted through the urethra into the bladder, allowing urine to exit the bladder.
Depending on hospital management, you will be moved to the recovery room or your private room after the procedure. You will be regularly monitored for blood pressure, heart rate, and pain.
The urinary catheter and/or stent are usually removed after a short time after the procedure. You can leave the hospital if you can empty your bladder adequately and do not have a fever or severe pain.
After ureteroscopy, you may experience mild to moderate lower abdominal pain and a strong urge to urinate.
These symptoms are usually caused by the insertion of the catheter and/or stent. You will be given painkillers to treat them.
Read about percutaneous kidney stone removal in Turkey.
What to expect when returning home
After the procedure, your doctor or nurse will provide discharge instructions for rest, driving, and physical activities.
If a stent was placed during ureteroscopy and not removed before your hospital discharge, you will need to return to the hospital for its removal. This may take between a few days to a few weeks.
Since instruments are inserted into the urinary tract, you may experience various urinary symptoms for some time after surgery. These issues typically resolve within a few weeks.
Symptoms may include:
- A mild burning sensation when urinating
- Small amounts of blood in the urine
- Mild discomfort in the bladder or kidney area when urinating
- The need to urinate frequently or urgently
- Pain from the procedure that takes time to heal
If the pain persists despite painkillers, contact the hospital or your doctor to address it.
Read about robotic kidney transplant surgery in Turkey/Istanbul.
What can I do in the first week after the ureteroscopy?
- Try to drink enough fluids: 1.5 liters daily (in small amounts) throughout the day to facilitate urine flow and the spontaneous elimination of small stone fragments.
- Avoid sexual activity during the first week after the procedure to prevent urinary tract infections.
- Eat more vegetables and reduce meat intake for softer stools. If you don’t need to strain during bathroom visits, this will help internal healing and give your body rest during the first week after the procedure. You are allowed to lift a maximum of 5 kg and go for walks. After this period, you can start cycling and exercising.
When should I contact the hospital or my general practitioner?
- If your temperature is above 38.5°C
- If you experience severe (not mild) burning when urinating
- If you cannot urinate
- If you see large amounts of blood in your urine that do not resolve with rest or fluids
- If you continue to feel severe side pain despite painkillers
You should inform your doctor immediately if the bleeding or pain is severe or if the problems persist longer or worsen after discharge.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent and/or treat infection or pain relief. You should immediately report any signs of infection – including severe pain, chills, or fever – to your doctor.
Read about laser lithotripsy for kidney stones in Turkey.
Follow-up after ureteroscopy
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled before you leave the hospital. Follow-up may include:
- Discussing laboratory results
- Ultrasound or X-ray examination
- Stent removal
Laboratory results
The removed stone is sent to the laboratory to study its composition. This may take several weeks. Based on the laboratory results and the blood and urine tests conducted before treatment, your doctor can determine whether you are at high risk of forming new kidney stones (recurrence).
Ultrasound or X-ray examination
Your doctor may also perform an ultrasound or X-ray to check for any remaining kidney stones and ensure good urine flow from the kidney to the bladder.
Lifestyle changes
Even if you have a low risk of forming another kidney stone, your doctor and nurse will advise you to make some lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle changes may include:
- Increasing fluid intake to 2.5-3.0 liters per day
- Following a balanced diet, reducing meat and alcohol intake, eating more vegetables and fiber for healthy calcium levels, and reducing intake of animal proteins
- Maintaining a healthy weight (normal BMI) and sufficient physical activity
Read more about renal artery stenosis: symptoms and treatment in Turkey.
What if the doctor suspects that I am at high risk for forming new kidney stones?
If the results show that you are at high risk for forming more kidney stones, your doctor will conduct a metabolic evaluation. This is a series of blood and urine tests to determine potential causes of stone formation. Your doctor will recommend preventive measures or further tests depending on the test results. In addition to lifestyle changes, you may also be advised to take medications that reduce the risk of kidney stones recurrence.
Bimaristan Medical Center remains your top choice for treatment in Turkey. We guide you to the best specialists and experts in all fields, breaking down language barriers with Arabic-speaking specialists who will help you communicate with your doctor. We assist in scheduling appointments at the leading hospitals in Turkey, provide hotel reservations for you and your companions, offer transportation services, and help secure your travel visa at no cost. We offer our services throughout Turkey, ensuring the best treatment options are available. We accompany you every step of the way toward recovery. Free consultations are available 24/7. Do not hesitate to contact us; Bimaristan Center is your family in Turkey. You can also read more about the treatment options available for kidney stone removal in Turkey.
