Impact of ureteral stent diameter on symptoms and tolerability.
OBJECTIVE
Indwelling double-pigtail ureteral stents are frequently associated with debilitating symptoms. A randomized study was performed to evaluate the effect of stent diameter (4.7F v. 6F) on symptoms and tolerability.


METHODS
Between February and October 2000, 46 consecutive patients undergoing ureteroscopy for stone disease were randomly assigned to receive either a 4.7F (group I) or a 6F (group II) ureteral stent following the procedure. The patients were asked to leave their stents in place for minimum of 7 days. Pain and irritative urinary symptoms in the two groups were compared according to a scale ranging from 0 (none) to 5 (severe). The two groups were also compared for stone size and location, rigid v. flexible ureteroscopy, anesthesia, stent migration, and ureteral dilation.


RESULTS
There were no differences between the groups in terms of pain (P = 0.28) or irritative symptoms (P = 0.37). There was a tendency for stents in group I to migrate distally and dislodge more often than those in group II (32% v 10%).


CONCLUSIONS
When stent insertion following ureteroscopy is deemed necessary, a minimum diameter of 6F is recommended.
Erturk
Erdal
E
Department of Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. erdal_erturk@urmc.rochester.edu
Sessions
Annette
A
Joseph
Jean V
JV
D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014513:Ureter; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000628:therapy; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018666:Ureteroscopy