Efficacy of 6.3Fr disposable digital flexible ureteroscope versus 7.5Fr disposable digital flexible ureteroscope in the treatment of upper urinary tract stones < 1.5cm: a randomized controlled trial

Objective To compare the curative effect of 6.3Fr disposable digital flexible ureteroscope and 7.5Fr disposable digital flexible ureteroscope in the treatment of upper urinary tract stones < 1.5cm. Materials and Methods From October 2024 to January 2025, 70 patients with < 1.5cm upper urinary tract calculi in our hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups, 35 patients in 6.3Fr non-sheathing group were treated with 6.3Fr HugeMed disposable electronic ureteroscopic laser lithotripsis. In the 7.5Fr flexible ureteroscope group, 35 cases were treated with 7.5Fr common disposable electronic ureteroscope laser lithotripsis. The stone free rate, the success rate of the first stage operation, the operation time and the postoperative hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Results The operation time of 6.3Fr non-sheath group was shorter than that of 7.5 flexible ureteroscope group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P  = 0.011). The success rate of the first stage operation was 100% in the 6.3Fr non-sheath group and 91.43% in the 7.5Fr flexible ureteroscope group, with no statistical significance ( P  > 0.05). There were no significant differences in stone free rate, laser working time, hemoglobin decline on the first day after surgery, creatinine increase, postoperative hospitalization days and postoperative complications between the two groups ( P  > 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, the sheathless technique using the 6.3Fr disposable digital flexible ureteroscope is safe and effective for upper urinary calculi < 1.5 cm. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate its role in managing larger stones and other urological conditions.