Feasibility and safety evaluation of retrograde inserting of ureteric catheter via flexible cystoscope

Abstract

To introduce a method of retrograde ureteric catheter placement via flexible cystoscope , and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this method. 112 patients, 62 males and 50 females undergoing retrograde ureteropyelography by 2 same physicians in cooperation were randomly divided into two equal groups with 31 males and 25 females each: one group via flexible cystoscope and the other group via rigid cystoscope. The catheterizing time, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, gross hematuria rate, and fever rate were compared between these 2 groups. Fifty-five patients underwent ureteric catheter placement successfully via flexible cystoscope (98%, 55/56), while 53 cases were technically successful by rigid cystoscope (95%, 53/56). The inserting time in women patients of the flexible cystoscopy group was (7.6 +/- 1.8) min, significantly shorter than that of the men [(8.0 +/- 1.8) min, P < 0.05]. The inserting time in women patients of the rigid cystoscopy group was (7.4 +/- 1.5) min, significantly shorter than that of the men [(8.2 +/- 1.2) min, P < 0.05]. However, there were not significant differences in the inserting times in both men and women between these 2 groups (both P > 0.05). The VAS pain scores in men and women of the flexible cystoscope group were 3. 5 and 2. 3 respectively, both significantly lower than those of the rigid cystoscopy group (7.2 and 3.3 respectively, both P < 0.05). The gross hematuria rate of the flexible cystoscope group was 8.6% (5/56), significantly lower than that of the rigid cystoscopy group (25.0%, 14/56, P < 0.05). Four patients had a fever after flexible cystoscopy while 6 cases did after rigid cystoscopy, however, without significant difference between these 2 groups (P > 0.05). Retrograde placement of ureteric catheter via flexible cystoscope is safe and reliable as rigid cystoscopy. Meanwhile, inserting ureteric catheter via flexible cystoscope causes the patients less pain and less chance of hematuria.