Flexible Fiberoptic and Rigid-Rod Lens Endoscopy of the Lower Urinary Tract: A Prospective Controlled Comparison

Abstract

Cystourethroscopy was performed on 80 men by separate examiners with a rigid-rod lens instrument and a flexible fiberoptic choledochonephroscope. Findings with the flexible system were equivalent to or more accurate than those with the rigid endoscope in 94% of the cases. With the flexible instrument the duration of the examination was unchanged, patient comfort was improved, the amount of irrigation fluid was reduced, and patient preparation and positioning were simpler and quicker.