PURPOSE:To describe an easily home-made diathermy probe for the performance of retrograde endopyelotomies using a small-caliber rigid ureteroscope.METHODS:The diathermy probe is easily built by putting a rigid guidewire through a 5F ureteral catheter, the distal tip being naked and slightly bent. The other end is linked to the electric generator. Among a total of 24 retrograde endopyelotomies performed to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the last 7 years, five were done using this device.RESULTS:Surgery with the probe took an average of 30 minutes. There were no complications, and, as of today, all cases are successes.CONCLUSION:This device allows the performance of retrograde endopyelotomy using a small-caliber ureteroscope. Long-term results will presumably match the good results obtained using the larger-caliber ureteroscopes with the classic cold knife.

One of the authors has developed a special device--the suturoscope--which allows endoscopic sutures with conventional suture material. After several modifications, in order to improve the prototype, the authors began its clinical application in 1992. Five bladder operations were performed--two antireflux operations, two meatotomies with meatoplasty, and an intramural ureteric ligation. The results indicate that this device is suitable for clinical use.

Objectivo: – Given their mucoprotein struture, which promotes an accoustic impedance close to that of the water, matrix stones are not supposed to be fragmented by ESWL. The authors present four cases of matrix stones managed by ESWL. – Four patients with persistent urinary tract infections and clinical and radiological evidence of urinary stones, were treated by ESWL. One patient had a radiolucent staghorn calculi diagnosed as a uric stone, and the other three presented radiopac stones diagnosed as struvite stones. – All patients expelled mucoproteic fragments after each ESWL session, allowing the diagnosis of matrix stones. Two patients were rendered free of stones, one was submitted to surgery with inferior polar nephrectomy, and the last one abandoned the tratament after having expelled several fagments of gelatinous material. – Given the unpredictable yet generally good results of ESWL, we believe that all renal stones should be given a chance of this modality, reserving more agressive treatments for its failures. Matrix Stones, ESWL and Matrix Stones.