From the Research
Stent Placement After Ureteral Stone Removal
- The decision to place a stent after ureteral stone removal is a topic of debate among urologists, with some studies suggesting that it is not always necessary 1, 2, 3.
- A study published in the Journal of Endourology in 2017 found that postoperative Double-J stent placement resulted in significantly fewer postoperative complications compared to patients who did not receive a stent 4.
- However, other studies have found that routine stent placement can be associated with increased irritative urinary symptoms, pain, and use of narcotics 1, 2, 3.
- A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Endourology in 2023 found that omitting routine stent placement after uncomplicated ureteroscopic treatment for proximal ureteral and kidney stones may be safe and can potentially decrease urinary symptoms and pain while improving short-term quality of life 2.
- The choice of whether or not to place a stent after ureteroscopy for ureteral lithiasis depends on various factors, including the surgeon's intraoperative judgment, the size and location of the stone, and the patient's individual characteristics 4, 3, 5.
- Further prospective randomized studies are needed to assess the role of stenting after ureteroscopic lithotripsy and to determine the optimal approach for different patient populations and stone characteristics 1, 2, 3, 5.