Episode # 3 • 17 Jan 2025
Advancements in Ureteroscopy for Stone Management
How is suction technology changing what it means to be “stone-free” after ureteroscopy? On this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Ruchika Talwar welcomes Dr. Karen Stern, endourologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona, for a practical discussion of how ureteroscopy is evolving in the era of suction. They discuss how thin-slice CT has revealed just how much stone typically remains after surgery, why dusting versus fragmenting is now a patient-dependent choice, and what to consider when selecting between suction sheaths, aspiration scopes, and traditional access.
This podcast is supported by
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:16 - Residual Stone and Defining Success
04:59 - Dusting, Fragmentation and Suction Devices
07:15 - Patient Selection, OR Setup and Laser Settings
11:39 - Evidence, Stone Clearance and Infection Risk
15:39 - Community Adoption and Technique Pearls
20:05 - Integrated Systems and Artificial Intelligence
22:29 - Take-Home Points and Closing Remarks
Resources
You may also like
More about this episode
The doctors discuss patient selection, OR setup, stenting, and why stones over a centimeter benefit most from a suction approach. Dr. Stern shares her tips for suction device setup, irrigation and suction settings, and how even a short learning curve can make these techniques routine. They review infection risks, evidence on residual stone volume, pearls for community adoption, and look ahead to integrated laser-suction platforms and AI tools that may one day help define when a case is truly finished. Dr. Karen Stern closes with advice for urologists on the fence: every technology works, but the best choice is the one that fits your practice.
The Materials available on BackTable are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the independent professional judgment of a qualified healthcare professional in diagnosing or treating patients. Any opinions, statements, or views expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, platform, or any affiliated organization.