Evaluating Outcomes in Ureteric Calculi Management: A Comparative Study of Stented and Non-Stented Approaches

Abstract

Background and Aim: Stenting is most commonly used to treat stone disease in the ureter during definitive procedures such as ureteroscopy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The stent that remains in place frequently causes urinary tract infection and discomfort in the suprapubic area. This study aims to assess the symptoms linked to stents after undergoing semirigid ureteroscopy and intracorporeal lithotripsy for stones situated at the mid, lower, and distal vesicoureteral junctions.

Material and Methods: The study involved 30 patients. Semirigid ureteroscopy was used to evaluate simple ureteric stones. The study only included individuals with uncomplicated vesico-ureteric junction, lower, and mid-ureteric calculi. Thirty patients were studied, with fifteen in group 1 receiving stents and fifteen in group 2 being closely observed post-op. We assessed patients' success, operation time, postoperative pain score, analgesic demand, stent-related symptoms, and ureteral stricture risk.

Results: The sizes of the calculi varied between 7 and 12 millimeters, with the stented group showing an average size of 7.8 millimeters, while the non-stented group had an average size of 8.1 millimeters. The study revealed that the incidence of mid ureteric calculi was relatively low, primarily because most cases were complicated. In contrast, there were significantly more patients with lower and vesico ureteric junction calculi.

Conclusion: Individuals who did not receive stents reported experiencing significantly less pain, a decrease in urinary symptoms, and a lower need for analgesics following their surgical procedure.