Evolution of endourology and flexible ureterorenoscopy, can they be useful to urologists to clarify stone composition and morphology?

Abstract

During the last two decades, there has been great advancement in the technology and performance of flexible ureterorenoscopy. Endoscopes are smaller and the new digital technology offers a fantastic endoscopic definition. This manuscript is a state-of-the-art describing the endoscopic equipment evolution and usefulness. Moreover, we raise the interest to perform a better description of the endoscopic stone appearance according to different stone compositions, in order to offer a better morpho-constitutional analysis. A revision of the literature was performed to describe the evolution of the endoscopic equipment used in flexible ureterorenoscopy. Currently, there is no data that evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic stone pictures, video and description during flexible ureterorenoscopy to evaluate if there is an advantage in the final morpho-constitutional analysis. Urologists should know the development in the field of flexible ureterorenoscopy and the equipment available to accommodate them during the procedures. Clinical trials are needed in order to evaluate the role of endoscopic evaluation or video during flexible ureterorenoscopy in determining the morpho-constitutional analysis of stones, which could be associated with specific metabolic anomalies.