Abstract
This prospective study evaluated the ZebraScope single-use flexible ureteroscope in a noninferiority trial against the reusable Olympus URF-V in four hospitals in China in 126 patients. They found no difference in operative time or stone-free rate and found this new flexible single-use ureteroscope to be noninferior to a digital reusable ureteroscope. Of note, the ZebraScope has a smaller shaft (8.7F) vs the URF-V (9.9F), but both fit in a 12/14 ureteral access sheath. In comparison with some other parts of the world, there are some differences: this is the original Olympus URF-V and they are now up to the third generation that has a smaller tip and shaft than the original URF-V. Furthermore, the deflection mechanism at the tip has evolved with a tighter coil at the tip and a different bending mechanism. However, this ureteroscope is still the mainstay in many parts of the world and still an excellent usable ureteroscope with a sharp digital image.
Without performing bench studies looking at field of view, brightness, resolution, and so on, this study provides real-world evidence that the ZebraScope is highly usable and provided equivalent results to a standard digital flexible ureteroscope. Next studies would have to look at cost analysis of this ureteroscope in these hospital systems. These types of analyses must be tailored to each individual hospital as the infrastructure differs at each institution. Ultimately, there are a wide variety of new digital single-use flexible ureteroscopes that will drive competition, improve technology, and may also drive costs down.