During ureteroscopy, the doctor passes a thin viewing instrument (ureteroscope) through your urethra and bladder into your ureter. The doctor moves the scope through your ureter until it reaches the location of the kidney stone. No cuts are made in the body.

Your doctor can take out the kidney stone using a small "basket" that comes out of the end of the ureteroscope. Small stones can be removed all in one piece. Larger stones may need to be broken up before the doctor can remove them.