Flexible ureteroscopy with a flexible and negative suction ureteral access sheath versus traditional sheath for treatment of infectious upper urinary tract stones: A prospective, randomized controlled study.

TL;DR

In a randomized trial of 185 patients with infectious upper urinary tract stones, flexible ureteroscopy with a flexible and negative suction ureteral access sheath (FANS) achieved higher stone-free rates and lower postoperative inflammatory markers compared to traditional sheaths.

Key findings

• FANS group demonstrated significantly higher stone-free rates at postoperative day 1 and 30 days (both P < 0.05)
• FANS group showed reduced postoperative inflammatory markers (WBC, CRP, procalcitonin at 6 and 24 hours, all P < 0.05)
• Operative time was significantly shorter with FANS (P < 0.001) and hospital stay was reduced (P < 0.001)
• Overall complication rate was significantly lower in the FANS group (P < 0.05) with similar ureteral stricture rates

Why this matters at the bedside

For urologists treating infectious upper urinary tract stones, FANS technology appears to offer improved operative efficiency, faster stone clearance, reduced postoperative infection risk, and lower overall morbidity compared to traditional ureteral access sheaths.