One-surgeon basketing technique for stone extraction during flexible ureteroscopy for urolithiasis: A comparison between novice and expert surgeons.

Abstract

To determine the safety and efficacy of the one-surgeon basketing technique for stone extraction during flexible ureteroscopy when carried out by novice surgeons under instructor guidance. We retrospectively compared perioperative results, complications and the "stone-free" rate (defined as ≤2mm fragments on kidney-ureter-bladder imaging 1month after flexible ureteroscopy) between experienced (groupA, n=50) and novice (groupB, n=50) surgeons using the one-surgeon basketing technique. Baseline patients' characteristics were similar between the two groups. There were no significant differences between groupsA and B in operative time (mean 76min vs 85min, P=0.46), stone-free rate (98% vs 92%, P=0.36), postoperative fever events (4% vs 4%, P=1.00) and postoperative hospital stay (24h vs 24h, P=1.00). Clavien-Dindo gradeIIIa complications (ureter injury) were only observed in two cases (4%) in groupB. The one-surgeon basketing technique for the extraction of stone fragments during flexible ureteroscopy might be safely and effectively carried out by surgeons with no prior experience under proper guidance.