For patients who are pregnant, morbidly obese, or have a blood clotting disorder, ureteroscopy is a good choice. For very large or oddly shaped stones, or stones that are very hard, other treatments such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy or, rarely, open surgery may be needed.

Why is a ureteroscopy performed?

Ureteroscopy is an outpatient procedure most commonly done to treat stones in the ureters (the tubes that connect your bladder to your kidneys) or kidney. It may also be used to evaluate and treat other causes of kidney blockage or blood in your urine.

At what size should a kidney stone be removed?

Surgical treatment is usually recommended for stones 0.5 centimeters in size and larger, as well as for patients who fail conservative management. The procedures used today to remove stones are minimally invasive and highly effective.