One-surgeon basketing technique for stone extraction during flexible ureteroscopy for urolithiasis: A comparison between novice and expert surgeons.

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of the one-surgeon basketing technique for stone extraction during flexible ureteroscopy when carried out by novice surgeons under instructor guidance.
Methods: We retrospectively compared perioperative results, complications and the "stone-free" rate (defined as ≤2 mm fragments on kidney-ureter-bladder imaging 1 month after flexible ureteroscopy) between experienced (group A, n = 50) and novice (group B, n = 50) surgeons using the one-surgeon basketing technique.
Results: Baseline patients' characteristics were similar between the two groups. There were no significant differences between groups A and B in operative time (mean 76 min vs 85 min, P = 0.46), stone-free rate (98% vs 92%, P = 0.36), postoperative fever events (4% vs 4%, P = 1.00) and postoperative hospital stay (24 h vs 24 h, P = 1.00). Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa complications (ureter injury) were only observed in two cases (4%) in group B.
Conclusions: The one-surgeon basketing technique for the extraction of stone fragments during flexible ureteroscopy might be safely and effectively carried out by surgeons with no prior experience under proper guidance.
(© 2020 The Japanese Urological Association.)