Efficacy and Safety of 6.3 Fr Versus 7.5 Fr Single-Use Flexible Ureteroscopes for Upper Urinary Tract Stones: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is a cornerstone in managing upper urinary tract stones, with a growing trend towards instrument miniaturization. The introduction of the ultra-slim 6.3 Fr single-use flexible ureteroscope presents a potential advancement over the standard 7.5 Fr device, but clinical evidence remains scarce. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy and safety of the 6.3 Fr versus the 7.5 Fr ureteroscope. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL, and Web of Science was conducted for RCTs published up to September 2025. The primary outcomes were the stone-free rate and procedural success rate. Secondary outcomes included operation duration and postoperative complications. Risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data and mean differences (MDs) for continuous data, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were pooled for analysis. Results: Three RCTs involving 140 patients were included. There was no significant difference between both groups in stone-free rates (RR: 1.06, 95% CI [0.96, 1.18], p = 0.22) or success rates (RR: 1.06, 95% CI [0.97, 1.16], p = 0.17). However, the 6.3 Fr ureteroscope was associated with a significantly shorter operation duration (MD: −6.66 min, 95% CI [−11.29, −2.03], p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in laser operating time (MD: −1.46 min, 95% CI [−3.93, 1.01], p = 0.25), length of…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 140 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB severity with quality of life and mental health in China, Taiwan and South Korea: results from a cross-sectional, population-based study
- Ten-Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Low-Dose Rabeprazole, Bismuth, Amoxicillin, and Tetracycline Is an Effective and Safe First-Line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Population with High Antibiotic Resistance: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Clinical Trial in China
- The Role of the NLR and PLR in Urinary Tract Infection
- Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic
- Leclercia adecarboxylata urinary tract infection in a patient with bladder cancer and recurrent hematuria
- A Case Series of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection in Cancer Patients at an Academic Cancer Institute in the United States
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.