Retrograde intrarenal surgery without fluoroscopy: Is it possible? A randomized prospective study, an extraordinary experience

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the use of fluoroscopy in patients undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery and the effect on surgical outcomes. The patients who were admitted to our center with the diagnosis of kidney stones were divided into 2groups. In group 1, routine fluoroscopy was used in all cases (n: 58). In group 2, the same procedure was performed without fluoroscopy (n: 67) and the results of the 2groups were compared. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2groups in terms of operation time, stone-free rate, complication rate, need for analgesic and re-treatment requirement and Visual Analogic Scale score. The use of fluoroscopy does not alter the complication frequency and stone-free rate. We think that the use of fluoroscopy is not mandatory in cases in which renal pelvis access is achieved especially with semirigid ureteroscopy and that unnecessary fluoroscopy increases radiation exposure.