The utility of instruments and disposables during endourologic practice among Egyptian urologists

Objective: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of utilization of different endourological instruments and disposables among Egyptian urologists and to see how availability could affect the deviation from the universal standards that might result in reduced patient safety. Patients and method: We surveyed members of the Egyptian Urological Association by a questionnaire evaluating the importance of different instruments and disposables used during ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. All responses were collected by a commercially available Internet-based survey host (www.surveymonkey.com) over 8 weeks. Results: One hundred and fifty-two responses were received. For ureteroscopy, the most mandatory instruments and disposables included the C-arm device (83%), Dormia basket (61%), ureteral stone forceps (58%), pneumatic lithotripter (50%), and regular PTFE guide wire (49%). The instruments and disposables described as optional included 4.5 Fr ureteroscope (74%), flexible ureteroscope (70%), and hydrophilic guidewire (67%). For percutaneous nephrolithotomy, the most mandatory instruments and disposables were pneumatic lithotripter (78%), Alken metal dilator (75%), fascial dilator (45%), and regular PTFE guidewire (42%); while instruments and disposables described as optional included flexible cystoscope (70%), hydrophilic guidewire (67%), balloon dilator (57%), and laser machine (52%). Conclusion: The prevalence of the utilization of newly introduced instruments and disposables is low among Egyptian urologists.