Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40569462›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of urology2025

Single-use versus reusable flexible ureterorenoscopes with FANS: a multicenter propensity-matched analysis of outcomes in a large series from the EAU-Endourology Section and FANS Collaborative Group.

Carlo Giulioni, Daniele Castellani, Federico Falsetti, Naeem Bhojani, Ben Hall Chew, Steffi Kar Kei Yuen, Anil Shrestha, Pablo Contreras, Sundaram Palaniappan, Tsung Wen Chong and 11 more

Abstract readMulticenter StudyComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in World journal of urology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. The future of endourology is now.World journal of urology · 2026
    Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

21 authors.

Carlo GiulioniDepartment of Urology, Casa di Cura Villa Igea, 60127, Ancona, Italy. carlo.giulioni9@gmail.com.
Daniele CastellaniUrology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
Federico FalsettiAndrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Division of Urology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area- Urology, University of Bari"Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
Naeem BhojaniDepartment of Urology, University of Montreal Hospital Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Ben Hall ChewDepartment of Urology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Steffi Kar Kei YuenUrology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
Anil ShresthaNational Academy of Medical Sciences, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Pablo ContrerasDepartment of Urology, Hospital Aleman, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Sundaram PalaniappanDepartment of Urology, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Tsung Wen ChongDepartment of Urology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Rd, Singapore, 169608, Singapore.
Angelo CafarelliDepartment of Urology, Casa di Cura Villa Igea, 60127, Ancona, Italy.
Wei ZhuDepartment of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Guohua ZengDepartment of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Yi Tan QuanDepartment of Urology, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore, 126817, Singapore.
Jia-Lun KwokDepartment of Urology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Khi Yung FongDepartment of Urology, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Amelia PietropaoloDepartment of Urology, University Hospitals Southampton, NHS Trust, Southampton, UK.
Thomas HerrmannUrology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
Olivier TraxerUrology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
Bhaskar Kumar SomaniUrology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
Vineet GauharUrology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study compares the clinical outcomes of single-use and reusable flexible ureterorenoscopes (fURS) in retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) with flexible and navigable suction access sheath (FANS).

methodsA multicenter prospective analysis included 704 patients who underwent RIRS with FANS between July 2023 and March 2024. Patients were stratified into two groups: those treated with single-use fURS (Group 1, n = 263) and those with reusable fURS (Group 2, n = 441). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce confounding in the statistical comparisons. The primary outcomes were stone-free rate (SFR) and complication rates, assessed through pre- and postoperative non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scans. Statistical analyses were performed using R software, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

resultsAfter propensity score matching, 226 patients per group were well-balanced across baseline characteristics (ASMD < 0.1). Group 1 was associated with shorter laser (p = 0.001) and operative times (p = 0.048), and more frequent use of larger sheaths (p < 0.001). Complication rates were low and comparable between groups. Group 1 achieved higher 100% stone free status (65.5% vs. 55.8%, p = 0.012), though overall stone-free rates were similar. Reintervention rates did not differ significantly. Lasing and exit strategy did not differ between the two groups. On multivariate analysis, single-use scope use (OR 1.659, p = 0.018) and 10-12 Fr UAS (OR 1.749, p = 0.043) were significantly associated with complete stone clearance.

conclusionOur study findings indicate that FANS is a safe and effective technique irrespective of the type of scope used. However, as FANS offers the potential to achieve a truly 100% stone-free status, this outcome is more likely when using single-use scopes in combination with 10/12 sheaths. Given that stone volume is a significant determinant of stone-free outcomes, surgeons may consider selecting the scope type to tailor the procedure according to stone complexity.

Indexed as

Kidney CalculiUreteroscopesUreteroscopyAdultAgedDisposable EquipmentEquipment DesignEquipment ReuseFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPropensity ScoreProspective StudiesTreatment OutcomeFlexible and navigable suction access sheathsFlexible ureterorenoscopesReusableSingle-useStone-free rate

Identifiers

PMID40569462

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.