Ureteroscopic diagnosis and treatment of urinary calculi during pregnancy.

Flexible ureteroscopy has been utilized in two pregnant patients. In one, the procedure was for diagnosis of symptoms simulating ureteral colic, and in the other for the removal of a distal ureteral calculus. The diagnostic procedure was completed with local anesthesia alone, and both procedures were performed without radiation to the mother or fetus. The potentially great benefit must be weighed against the risks of minimal endoscopic intervention in each patient. We advocate the early but judicious use of flexible ureteroscopy in pregnant patients with urinary calculi.