Kidney Stones and the Risks of Treatment

Kidney stones are becoming more common worldwide. In North America, about 13% of people have them. In Europe, it's around 9%. One way doctors treat these stones is with a procedure called ureteroscopy. This method is known for being effective and safe. However, it's not without risks. During ureteroscopy, doctors use special tools to reach and break up the stones. Sometimes, these tools can cause injuries to the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. These injuries can happen for many reasons. The tools themselves can be a factor. So can the patient's anatomy or the size and location of the stones. For example, too much force when inserting the tools can damage the ureter. So can problems with the equipment or heat from the laser used to break up the stones. In serious cases, the ureter can be completely torn, requiring more surgery. In less severe cases, a stent may be placed to help the ureter heal. But stents can cause discomfort and other issues. Researchers are still studying how to prevent these injuries. They want to make the procedure safer and reduce the problems patients face. Understanding how these injuries happen is the first step. Then, doctors can find better ways to avoid them.