Introduction: We sought to compare the safety, efficacy, efficiency, and surgeon experience during upper urinary tract stone management with single-lumen (SLFU) vs dual-lumen flexible ureteroscopes (DLFU). Materials and Methods: Seventy-nine patients with proximal ureteral or renal stone burden <2 cm were randomized to a SLFU or DLFU. We recorded times for ureteroscopy (URS), laser lithotripsy, stone basketing, as well as intraoperative and postoperative complications. The rate of stone clearance and stone free status were calculated using CT imaging. Surgeons completed a survey after each procedure rating various metrics regarding ureteroscope performance. Results: Thirty-five patients from the single-lumen group and 44 patients from the dual-lumen group had comparable median URS time (37 vs 35 minutes, p = 0.984) and basketing time (12 vs 19 minutes; p = 0.584). Median lithotripsy time was decreased in the dual-lumen group (single: 6 vs dual: 2 minutes, p = 0.017). The stone clearance rate was superior in the dual-lumen group (single: 3.7 vs dual: 7.1 mm3/min, p = 0.025). The absolute stone-free rate (SFR) was superior for the dual-lumen group (single: 26% vs dual: 48%, p = 0.045). No differences in intraoperative (single: 0% vs dual: 2%; p = 0.375) and postoperative complications (single: 7% vs dual: 11%, p = 0.474) were observed. Surgeons' ratings of the dual-lumen ureteroscope was superior for visibility, comfort, ease of use, and overall performance. Conclusions: The use of the dual-lumen ureteroscope in patients with renal and proximal ureteral stones <2 cm provided shorter lithotripsy time, higher stone clearance rates, improved SFR, and superior surgeon ratings when compared with SLFUs.
Keywords: kidney; prospective studies; technology; ureteroscopes; ureteroscopy; urinary tract.