Evaluation of ultrathin semirigid ureteroscopy in terms of efficiency and cost compared to flexible ureteroscopy in treating proximal ureteric stones: a prospective randomized multicenter study

Purpose To investigate the outcome and cost-effectiveness of ultrathin 6–7.5-Fr semirigid ureteroscopy in treating proximal ureteric stones compared to flexible ureteroscopy. Methods Two hundred and twenty patients with a solitary proximal ureteric stone were eligible for ureteroscopy (stone size = 1–2 cm). Patients were randomly subdivided into two groups: Group I included 105 patients who underwent ultrathin semirigid ureteroscopy and group II included 115 patients who underwent flexible ureteroscopy. Both groups were compared regarding successful stone access, operation time, reoperation rates, the financial cost to stone-free, complications, and stone clearance at 4 and 8 weeks. Results Groups I and II had no significant differences regarding patient demographics, stone criteria, and hospitalization time. In contrast, the mean operative time was significantly longer in group II ( p