A New Operative Fiberpyeloscope

Abstract

Operative pyeloscopes developed up to now have been of limited effectivness because of an inadequate visual field and 'difficulties in handling procedure. The author has made up a flexible fiber pyeloscope with which it is possible to extract renal pelvic and caliceal stones easily. This pyeloscope has the following specifications: effective length, 630mm; diameter, 8.5mm; field of vision, 60°. In addition, the tip of the scope can be deflected 90° up or down from the basic position with a hand manipulated angle deflector knob on the scope grip. This allows the inside of the renal pelvis to be observed clearly from every direction. Through the channel of the scope, specially designed stone grasping forceps can be inserted into the renal pelvis, and it is possible to grasp renal pelvic stones under direct observation. The fiberpyeloscope has been used in 2 cases of renal pevlic stones, in which the pelvis was exposed by subcostal flank incision. The stones were successfully extracted with the scope which was introduced through a small incision on the renal pevlis.