Percutaneous and Transurethral Lithotripsy for Forgotten Ureteral Stents

Ureteral stents are being used more commonly in the daily urological practice. They are functionally used to reestablish or maintain the patency of the ureter and are used to relieve ureteral obstruction, promote ureteral healing following surgery, and to assist with ureteral identification during pelvic surgery. Ureteral stents passively dilate the ureter; urine flows through the center of the hollow stent as well as around the stent, facilitating the passage of debris. Stent insertion initially increases ureteral peristaltic activity, but with time, the frequency and amplitude of ureteral peristalsis decreases (1, 2).