RT Book, Section A1 Stoller, Marshall L. A2 McAninch, Jack W. A2 Lue, Tom F. SR Print(0) ID 1171178415 T1 Retrograde Instrumentation of the Urinary Tract T2 Smith & Tanagho's General Urology, 19e YR 2020 FD 2020 PB McGraw Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781259834332 LK accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1171178415 RD 2024/03/29 AB The ability to manipulate the urinary tract without the need for an open surgical incision differentiates urology from other disciplines. Such intervention may be required for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes (or both). Understanding the various catheters, guidewires, stents, endoscopes, and associated instrumentation is key in helping physicians accomplish their desired tasks. Manipulation of the urinary tract should be performed in a gentle fashion; instruments need not be forced. An understanding of anatomy and alternative instrumentation should allow physicians to accomplish their tasks with finesse. The patient should understand the proposed procedure and potential complications. For example, the attempt to place a retrograde ureteral catheter to drain an infected kidney may ultimately lead to a percutaneous nephrostomy if the surgeon is unable to achieve retrograde drainage. Knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to start.