Application of vacuum - assisted ureteral access sheath in retrograde intrarenal surgery: an initial experience of 48 cases

Objectives: Reporting our initial experience of 48 cases in application of vacuum-assisted ureteral access sheath in the retrograde intrarenal surgery. Methods: Forty - eight patients who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery at Department of Urology, Hue Central Hospital between May 2023 and May 2024 were evaluated retrospectively. The vacuum - assisted ureteral access sheath was applied in the procedure. Demographics, laboratory tests, peri - and postoperative and one-month follow- up results were analysed. Results: The mean stones size was 14.3 ± 4.9 mm. 77.1% of cases had stones located in the lower calyx. The mean operative time was 42.9 ± 17.1 minutes. The 1 - month post - operative stone - free rate was 89.6%. Two patients experienced post - operative fever. The average length of hospital stay was 3.06 ± 1.04 days. There was no unplanned readmission. Conclusions: Retrograde intrarenal surgery with vacuum-assisted ureteral access sheath is a safe and effective procedure, which can achieve excellent stone clearance.