RIRS
The Latest in Effective Scarless Stone Management is here
What is RIRS ?
RIRS or Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery is the latest technology to remove renal and upper ureteric stones without involving a cut at the back as is required in a PCNL. This technique uses a flexible endoscope to perform the procedure. The procedure is performed in three phases
Prestenting 2 weeks before RIRS
Prestenting ensures that the ureter is wide enough to allow the flexible endoscope to pass. Due to the presence of the stent the ureter relaxes completely due to loss of peristalsis.
RIRS procedure (May be staged)
The flexible endoscope is passed through the ureter and the stone is fragmented with laser and removed in the formed of dust particles and small fragments. A stent is placed to ensure that the residual unseen stone fragments are also completely drain alongside the stent
DJ stent removal
The DJ stent is removed through a small procedure under local anesthesia. You can read more about this procedure in detail here.
Advantages of RIRS over PCNL
- Scarless procedure that is done without a cut using the latest technology
- Much less bleeding and early recovery
Limitations of RIRS over PCNL
- Requires more number of procedures
- Stone clearence rates are marginally inferior
- More expensive as the technology required is delicate and expensive
Special Complications
- Incomplete clearence
- Inability to insert ureteroscope due to narrow ureteric lumen
- Ureteric injury and stricture requiring replacement of the ureter
- Severe Infection in the Urinary Tract