smoking history.

anatomical anomalies.

poor nutritional status.

corticosteroid use.

hypertension.

illumination.

depth of field.

resolution.

color representation.

contrast evaluation.

playing classical music during the procedure.

using lidocaine lubricating gel.

increasing the hydrostatic pressure of the irrigant during scope passage.

allowing the patient to observe the procedure.

having the patient empty his bladder before the procedure.

1.5-cm midureteral stricture.

1.2-cm renal calculus in the lower pole.

filling defect of the renal pelvis.

obstructing ureteral calculus.

ureteropelvic junction obstruction with a large crossing vessel present.

(a) Ureteral access sheaths decrease intrarenal pressure during ureteroscopy.

(c) Normal saline should be used for irrigation during ureteroscopy.

a and c

(b) Flexible ureteroscopes accept working instruments 3.6 Fr in diameter.

(d) A preoperative antibiotic is needed only in high-risk patients.

significantly improve detection accuracy of muscle-invasive lesions.

obviate the need for re-resection in high-grade pT1 patients.

accurately differentiate between low- and high-grade lesions.

predict favorable response to bacille Calmette-Guérin intravesical therapy.

improve detection of noninvasive lesions, including carcinoma in situ.

Compared to fiberoptic flexible ureteroscopes, digital flexible ureteroscopes less frequently require the use of ureteral access sheaths.

The holmium laser is absorbed in 3 cm of water.

Balloon dilation of the intramural ureter is usually necessary before flexible ureteroscopy.

Water is the preferred irrigant for ureteroscopy because of improved visibility.

Baskets made of nitinol are more "kink resistant" compared to stainless steel.

surgeon control of the foot pedal.

using image collimation.

using pulse fluoroscopy mode.

using "last image hold" setting.

using fixed fluoroscopy units.