SYMPTOMATIC COMPLICATIONS OF URETERIC STENTS

Objectives: To calculate the frequencies of symptomatic complications of pigtail ureteral stents and to determine the effect of stent duration on symptomatic complications. Methodology: All stented adult patients (PTFE Coated Cook® 6 Fr Double J Stent) presenting at the Institute of Kidney Diseases Hayatabad Peshawar were evaluated by history, examination, urine analysis and cultures, X-ray KUB and ultrasound KUB. SPSS version 11.0 was used for the data entry and analysis. Results are presented in the form of tables. Results: Out of 100 patients, 68% were males and 32% females. Stent indications included stone surgery in 14% of cases, prior to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in 36%, ureteric obstruction in 36%, pyeloplasty in 10%, and anuria in 4% of cases. Complications at 2 and 4 weeks were hematuria in 52% and 40% of cases, flank pain in 48% and 58%, frequency of micturation in 66% and 78%, dysuria in 72% and 80%, urgency in 60% and 72%, and suprapubic pain in 42% and 50% of cases respectively. Conclusion: Ureteric stenting is a life saving procedure but associated with significant morbidity. Itʹs unnecessary and prolonged use should be avoided.