In a dark room, the illumination of the torch you carry matters. Likewise, in the collecting system, the illumination of the light source(s) on your ureteroscope matters.
This crucial aspect – illumination from the ureteroscope light sources, has at present not been extensively evaluated.
The publication forms part I of a groundbreaking four-part comprehensive review of illumination in flexible ureteroscopes:1-4 exploring illumination under saline, uncovering stark differences in the illumination performance of various ureteroscopes, and exploring effects of light obstruction.
We invite you to read our open-access series and apply the findings to your next flexible ureteroscopy.
Open access links:
Part I: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-024-05037-7
Part II: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-024-04987-2
Part III: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-024-04910-9
Part IV: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-024-04988-1
Written by: Jia-Lun Kwok, MBBS, FRCS1,2,3 and Etienne Xavier Keller, MD, FEBU2,3
- Department of Urology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Progressive Endourological Association for Research and Leading Solutions (PEARLS), Paris, France
- Kwok J-L, De Coninck V, Corrales M, Sierra A, Panthier F, Ventimiglia E, et al. Illumination matters part I: comparative analysis of light sources and illumination in flexible ureteroscopy-fundamental findings from a PEARLS analysis. World Journal of Urology. 2024;42(1):355.
- Kwok J-L, Panthier F, De Coninck V, Ventimiglia E, Barghouthy Y, Danilovic A, et al. Illumination matters Part II: advanced comparative analysis of flexible ureteroscopes in a kidney model by PEARLS. World Journal of Urology. 2024;42(1):298.
- Kwok J-L, Ventimiglia E, De Coninck V, Sierra A, Panthier F, Corrales M, et al. Illumination matters Part III: Impact of light obstruction on illuminance from flexible ureteroscopes — a comparative PEARLS analysis. World Journal of Urology. 2024;42(1):188.
- Kwok J-L, De Coninck V, Panthier F, Kamkoum H, Pauchard F, Shrestha A, et al. Illumination matters part IV: blackout and whiteout in flexible ureteroscopy - first report on a phenomenon observed by PEARLS. World Journal of Urology. 2024;42(1):294.