Percutaneous ureteral surgery and stenting.

The percutaneous nephrostomy tract provides ready access with a nephroscope to the upper ureter directly allowing the urologist to remove stones and to perform operative procedures such as endopyelotomy. The tract also permits antegrade insertion of ureteral stents and ureteral catheters to which other instruments can be attached, this facilitating stone basketing, controlled ureteral meatotomy, and retrograde stent insertion.