Steerable versus Conventional flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheath (FANS) flexible Ureteroscopy for Lower Pole stones Treatment: study protocol for a multicentre, randomised superiority trial (SCULPT trial).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Flexible ureteroscopy has advanced modern stone management; however, lower pole renal stones remain a challenge due to suboptimal ureteroscope deflection and navigation using conventional flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheaths (FANS). The SCULPT trial is designed to assess whether the novel steerable FANS-which enables active controlled deflection-can improve the success rate of lower pole access during flexible ureteroscopy.

Methods and analysis

This multicentre, prospective, single-blinded, randomised controlled superiority trial will recruit 400 adult patients (aged 18-75 years) with solitary lower pole renal stones ≤2 cm diagnosed by CT from 20 high-volume urological centres in China. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to undergo flexible ur

SUBMITTER: Yuen SKK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12673546 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature