Single-Use Versus Reusable Cystoscope for Ureteral Stent Removal: A Comparative Study of Perceived Pain and Procedure Times.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the IsirisTM cystoscope with a common reusable flexible cystoscope in terms of patient perceived pain and endoscopy time in the ureteral stent removal setting. A non-randomized prospective study comparing the IsirisTM single-use cystoscope with a reusable flexible cystoscope. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment and endoscopy time was recorded in seconds. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the correlation between endoscope type and clinical variables with VAS score and endoscopy time. A total of 85 patients were included in the study: 53 in the disposable cystoscope group and 32 in the reusable cystoscope group. Ureteral stent extraction was successful in all cases. The mean VAS score was similar between groups (single-use group was 2.09 +/- 2.53 vs 2.53 +/- 2.14 in the reusable cystoscope group) (p = 0.13). Same was observed endoscopy time (74.92 +/- 74.45 s. in the single-use group vs 98.87 +/- 153.33 s. in the reusable group) (p = 0.07). Age (coefficient β = -0.36, p < 0.04) and body mass index (BMI) (coefficient β = -0.22, p < 0.02) were inversely correlated with perceived pain during ureteral stent removal, measured by VAS score. Ureteral catheter removal with a flexible cystoscope is a well-tolerated procedure in patients. Older age and high BMI are associated with better intervention tolerance. Use of a single-use flexible cystoscope is comparable to that of a common flexible cystoscope in terms of pain and endoscopy time.