Optimal dwelling time for ureteral stents placed for passive dilation after impassable ureteroscopy

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the dwelling time for a ureteral stent placed for passive dilation after impassable ureteroscopy and success and complications. Methods A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who underwent stent placement after impassable ureteroscopy and a repeat ureteroscopy due to kidney stones. A total of 161 patients were included in the study between 2015–2022. Demographic, clinical, preoperative, and perioperative data were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed on the data showing a significant difference in the univariate analyses performed to determine the predictive factors of ureteroscopy after the stent dwelling period in terms of stone-free status and perioperative complications. Results Stone-free status was achieved in 110 (68.3%) of 161 patients, and perioperative complications were observed in 41 (25.4%). Factors that affected the stone-free status were determined as the dwelling time and the S-ReSC score, while factors affecting perioperative complications were the stent dwelling time and the operation time. The stone-free rates were observed to increase from 46.4% in the first 2 weeks to 72.9% after the 2nd week, an increase of 1.5-fold. Perioperative complications were determined at the rate of 17.5% during the first 5 weeks and increased 2.1-fold to 37.5% after the 5th week. Conclusion It can be recommended that great care is taken during the stent dwelling period and ureteroscopy should be performed within 5 weeks (14–35 days) but no earlier than 2 weeks, so as not to affect the success of the procedure.