Semirigid

Ureteral stones are a major clinical problem in urology that require effective and safe therapeutic options. Semirigid and flexible ureteroscopy ar two well-established procedures for treating these stones. The present review provides an outline of the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. Semirigid ureteroscopy, which uses a rigid straight instrument, provides excellent stone visualisation and successful fragmentation. It is especially useful for proximal and bigger stones, frequently resulting in high stone-free rates and reduced procedure times. Nonetheless, its stiffness can make it difficult to navigate the delicate ureteral anatomy and increase the risk of mucosal injury. On the other hand, flexible ureteroscopy employs a more adjustable flexible scope, allowing access to complicated ureteral configurations while reducing the risk of ureteral trauma. It excels at treating distal and difficult stones but has a lower efficacy with larger stones and often requires longer procedure times. The choice between semirigid and flexible ureteroscopy is determined by patient-specific factors such as stone characteristics or anatomical considerations and the surgeon's skill. A customised approach that uses the capabilities of both treatments as needed can improve stone management outcomes while reducing potential problems. The continued advancement of technology and methodological modifications is predicted to improve the field of ureteroscopic stone management.