Thulium laser ablation facilitates retrograde intra-renal surgery for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

According to the guidelines, RNU is the gold standard for treatment of UTUC. Additionally, kidney-sparing surgeries are considered for patients with distal low-grade UTUC or other compelling reasons, such as the presence of a solitary kidney, chronic renal failure and impaired renal function. Since the recent development of flexible ureteroscopes and laser systems, RIRS have become more practical, and have enabled effective treatment of low-grade and low-stage UTUC.