Minimizing symptoms in patients with ureteric stents.
OBJECTIVE
The current approaches for minimizing symptoms in patients with ureteric stents were reviewed utilizing a literature search on Pubmed using the keywords stent, symptom, and ureter.


RESULTS
Ureteral stents are widely used in urological procedures for maintaining upper urinary tract drainage to relieve obstruction, pain, or infection. Indwelling stents, however, are associated with significant morbidity such as infection, encrustation, hematuria, and bothersome symptoms. Minimizing these issues has become paramount in the design of new ureteral stents. This article will review current and novel ways to minimize stent-related morbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, there is no ideal stent that relieves obstruction, is resistant to infection and encrustation, and is comfortable for patients. Advances in biomaterials and design will result in a more biocompatible stent that also has patient comfort in mind.
Laparoscopy and Endourology, University of Western Ontario, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, Ontario, Canada.
Mordechai
M
Duvdevani
Ben H
BH
Chew
John D
JD
Denstedt
D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015607:Stents; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000601:surgery*