Approach to Forgotten Ureteral Stents: A Single Tertiary Center Experience of 49 Cases

Abstract

Objective: Double J (DJ) stents are widely used in urology practice. Forgotten ureteral stents can cause serious complications. We present our experience about forgotten ureteral stents with 49 cases. Material and Methods: The data of patients who were operated due to forgotten encrusted ureteral stents were examined retrospectively. Age, gender, side, presenting complaint, indwelling time, stent indication, surgery performed, complications, additional interventions and stone-free status were evaluated. For descriptive statistics, the mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum frequencies and percentages were used. Results: Nineteen (38.8%) patients were female and 30 (61.2%) patients were male. The mean age of the patients was 47,06±14,11 (18-79). The mean indwelling time was 16.2±21,1 (3-120). Stents were placed in 30 patients due to stone surgery, 9 patients due to prophylactic before oncologic surgery, 8 patients due to hydronephrosis and two patients due to ureteral injury. For the treatment of the forgotten stent, ureteroscopy (including flexible ureterorenoscopy) was performed in 26 patients, endoscopic combined treatment in 11 patients, cystolithotripsy in 9 patients, open surgery in two patients and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in one patient. Conclusion: Removal of forgotten impacted ureteral stents can cause serious complications. The patients who were placed stents should be informed about the complications associated with forgotten encrusted stents.