Application of ureteral access sheath under direct visualization: Description of a technique for difficult ureters.

Objectives: To introduce a new technique for the placement of ureteral access sheaths (UAS) when there is failure in standard UAS placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2014 and June 2016, a total of 25 patients had difficulty while UAS placement during F-URS procedures. The placement of UAS in these patients was accomplished by utilizing the technique outlined in this study. The causes of difficulty in UAS placement, kinds of UAS deformation, ureteric injuries, and operation time were recorded for all procedures conducted in this study. RESULTS: The pre-operative and post-operative mean stone sizes, Hgb, urea, and creatinine levels were 10.64 (5-19)mm and 1.8 (2-4)mm (p<0.000); 13.9 (10.50-16.73)g/dL and 12.81 (9.4-16.6)g/dL (p = 0.0001); 30.73 (15-48)mg/dL and 28.83 (16- 41)mg/dL (p = 0.067); 1.07 (0.74-1.79)mg/dL and 1.10 (0.77-1.75)mg/dL (p = 0.242), respectively. The causes of difficulty in UAS placement were mainly the failure of insertion at ureteric orifice due to orifice shape and angle (not stenosis) in 18 (72%), narrow ureter in 3 (12%), twisted ureter in 3 (12%) and duplex ureter in 1 (4%) of patients. Angulation deformity with kinking was observed in 10 (40%) of operations. No buckling or kinking due to external force was noted. Providing a smooth insertion force of the F-URS accomplished insertion in patients with angulation deformities without difficulties. Mild mucosal heamorragia was observed in 16 (64%) patients. Mean operation time was 57 minutes and each operation ended with success. CONCLUSIONS: Application of UAS under direct visualization provides a safer UAS placement, makes the F-URS more applicable, and we think this technique decreases the operation time when there is difficulty in UAS placement.