by Dr. Suresh Prasad Aggrawal, M.S., D.N.B.(Urology). Consultant Urologist, Andrologist & Kidney Transplant Surgeon, Patel Hospital Jalandhar
RIRS is a procedure for doing surgery within the kidney using a viewing tube called a fiberoptic endoscope. It is a NO CUT, NO HOLE, and DAYCARE SURGERY. In RIRS, the scope is placed through the urethra (the urine opening i.e. a natural orifice) into the bladder and then through the ureter into the urine collecting part of the kidney. In RIRS, the scope is moved retrogradely (up the urinary tract system) to within the kidney (intrarenal). In RIRS, no cut is made over the body, and stone is removed from the kidney.
RIRS may be done to remove a stone. The stone is seen through the scope and can then be manipulated or crushed or evaporated by a laser fiber or grabbed by small forceps etc.
RIRS is performed by a specialist, a urologist with expertise in RIRS. The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia. The advantage of RIRS over open surgery indeed faster removal stone, less pain, no blood loss, no cut, and daycare surgery with early return to the work/job.
