Use of a Ureteral Access Sheath During Ureteroscopy and Its Effect on Stone Free Rate

Exclusion Criteria

• •Ureteric calculi distal to the level of the iliac vessels/iliac crest;
• •Failed ureteroscopy for same stone (i.e. has to be the first ureteroscopic procedure for this stone, however a prior failed extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is acceptable);
• •Bilateral ureteroscopy;
• •If an adjunctive procedure is planned post ureteroscopy (e.g. percutaneous nephrolithotomy, SWL) (i.e. it is known preoperatively that a ureteroscopic procedure will not render the patient stone free and that ancillary procedures will be necessary);
• •If in the investigators opinion, enrollment would be not be appropriate; OR
• •Pregnancy