[Endoscopic management of upper urinary tract stones].

Abstract

The treatment of upper urinary tract stones is one of the main urological activities. Endoscopic surgical techniques, namely semirigid or flexible ureteroscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), represent a major therapeutic modality, alternatively to chemolysis, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and open, laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. In this article, the specificities of these endoscopic techniques, their clinical performances, as well as their development following recent technological advances are discussed.