Effects of Endourologic Devices and Connectors on Irrigation Flow Through the Flexible Ureteroscope Working Channel.

IF 0.6 Q3 UROLOGY & NEPHROLOGY

Advances in Urology Pub Date : 2026-07-30 eCollection Date: 2026-01-01 DOI:10.1155/aiu/7192796

Oleksandr Chepeliuk, Rinat Lasmanovich, Isaias Caballero Lopez, Dina Orkin, Miki Haifler, Dorit E Zilberman, Zohar A Dotan, Asaf Shvero, Nir Kleinmann

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different connector types and commonly used endourologic devices on irrigation fluid flow through the working channel of a flexible ureteroscope.

Methods: Irrigation flow was measured under a 200-cm H₂O pressure head using three connector types (Tuohy-Borst, UroLok, and Check-Flo) and a standard Y-set connection. Instruments tested included Piranha biopsy forceps, Segura hemisphere basket, Glidewire guidewire, and two laser fibers (200 μm and 365 μm). Each condition was repeated six times. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and one-way ANOVA was used to assess differences between groups.

Results: With an empty channel, the standard Y-set connection achieved the highest mean flow (115.8 ± 4.3 mL/min), followed by Tuohy-Borst (113.0 ± 1.6), UroLok (100.2 ± 1.3), and Check-Flo (80.4 ± 0.5) (p < 0.001). Inserting instruments markedly reduced flow. The Piranha forceps and Glidewire guidewire produced the largest reduction (∼96-97%). A larger instrument diameter or the absence of a smooth coating significantly reduced flow across all connectors. With small-caliber instruments, connector design played a greater role: relative flow reduction was greatest with Tuohy-Borst (50.6%) and lowest with Check-Flo (38.0%). In absolute terms, UroLok yielded the highest median flow with laser fibers (38.7 mL/min), followed by Tuohy-Borst (37.5 mL/min) and Check-Flo (34.7 mL/min).

Conclusion: Both connector choice and instrument size significantly affect irrigation flow in flexible ureteroscopy. Large-diameter instruments almost abolish flow regardless of connector, whereas with smaller instruments, connector design influences performance. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting optimal connector-instrument combinations to maintain intraoperative visibility.

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输尿管柔性镜工作通道内输尿管装置及接头对灌流的影响。

目的：评价输尿管软镜工作通道内不同连接器类型及常用腔内装置对冲洗液流动的影响。方法：使用三种连接器（Tuohy-Borst、UroLok和Check-Flo）和标准y形接头，在200 cm H2O压力头下测量灌溉流量。测试仪器包括食人鱼活检钳、Segura半球筐、Glidewire导丝和两根激光纤维（200 μm和365 μm）。每种情况重复6次。计算描述性统计，采用单因素方差分析评估组间差异。结果：在空通道下，标准Y-set连接的平均流量最高（115.8±4.3 mL/min），其次是Tuohy-Borst(113.0±1.6),UroLok（100.2±1.3）和Check-Flo(80.4±0.5)（p < 0.001）。插入仪器明显减少了流量。Piranha钳和Glidewire导丝的降幅最大（~ 96% -97%）。较大的仪表直径或没有光滑涂层会显著减少通过所有连接器的流量。对于小口径的仪器，接头设计发挥了更大的作用：Tuohy-Borst的相对流量减少最大（50.6%），Check-Flo的相对流量减少最小（38.0%）。从绝对值来看，UroLok激光光纤的中位流量最高（38.7 mL/min），其次是Tuohy-Borst （37.5 mL/min）和Check-Flo （34.7 mL/min）。结论：输尿管软镜中输尿管接头的选择和器械的尺寸对输尿管冲洗流量有显著影响。大直径的仪器几乎不考虑连接，而对于较小的仪器，连接设计会影响性能。这些发现强调了选择最佳连接器-器械组合以保持术中可视性的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Advances in Urology UROLOGY & NEPHROLOGY-

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

15 weeks

期刊介绍： Advances in Urology is a peer-reviewed, open access journal that publishes state-of-the-art reviews and original research papers of wide interest in all fields of urology. The journal strives to provide publication of important manuscripts to the widest possible audience worldwide, without the constraints of expensive, hard-to-access, traditional bound journals. Advances in Urology is designed to improve publication access of both well-established urologic scientists and less well-established writers, by allowing interested scientists worldwide to participate fully.