Does coiling of the proximal end of the ureteral stent affect stent-related symptoms?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of coiling of the proximal end of the ureteral stent on stent-related symptoms (SRS) in in subgroup of patients undergoing preoperative ureteral stenting preceding flexible retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective comparative study including patients undergoing stent placement 7-10 days prior to RIRS. Patients were divided into 2 groups; in Group 1 coiling of proximal end of the DJ was present, while in Group 2 coiling was absent. Bladder pain, flank pain, hematuria, urgency, frequency, nocturia, and urge incontinence were evaluated on the day of surgery using Visual Analog Score (VAS).

RESULTS

In total, 81 patients, 45 males (55.6%) and 36 (44.4%) females were included. Patients in Group 2 had statistically significant severe representation of flank (43.2% vs. 22.7%, p-value = 0.049) and bladder pain compared to Group 1 (48.4% vs. 25.0%, p-value = 0.027). Additionally, they required analgesic medications more frequently (64.9% vs. 34.1%, p-value = 0.006), and experienced significantly more pronounced frequency (p-value = 0.012) and urgency (2.7 vs. 2.1, p-value = 0.033) compared to Group 1. Patients in group 1 recovered from their symptoms more frequently (52.3% vs. 29.7%, p-value = 0.041), occurring on day 4 and 5 following ureteral stenting.

CONCLUSION

Coiling of the proximal end of the DJ stent impacts stent-related symptoms significantly. Better outcomes of post-procedural frequency, urgency, bladder and flank pain were observed in patients in whom coiling was achieved. Moreover, those patients reported faster recovery from SRSs.