Association of Complications in Retained Ureteral Stents

ABSTRACT

Introduction: One of the most frequent complicationof ureteral stent and difficult case management is stentencrustations resulting in morbidity and financial burdento patient. The primary aim of this study is to evaluatethe complications incidence associated to patients andunderstanding different management techniques and otherfactors includes stent insitu duration, patient literacy level andsocioeconomic level.Material and methods: In this study, there are 48 patientspresented with retained DJ stents to Urology Department,Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS),Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India between August 2009 andJanuary 2016 were included.Results: The mean age of the patients in the cohort is 42.46years and with highest percentage (37.5%) of the patientsin age group of 40 to 50 years. Most of the patients in thecohort are from poor socio-economic status (66.7%) andilliterate (54.2%). Most of the patients (58.3%) are not awareof stent placement in their body and majority of the patients(83.3%) are unilateral cases. In this study, 31.2% of patientsexperienced multisite encrustations. Stents are placed mostcommonly for ureteric stones following the ureteroscopiclithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy proceduresin our study. Stone composition revealed predominantlyCalcium oxalate.Conclusion: Retained DJ stents results in morbidity andcomplications like encrustation and stone formation whichcan be treated using combined endo urological procedures.Our study stress the prominence of regular follow up, andexplaining patient about complications, prompt and timelystent removal and change of stent and proper documentation.Maintenance of stent register, is another important measure toavoid potential complications.