title: Is a 22 cm Ureteric Stent Appropriate for Korean Patients Smaller than 175 cm in Height?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determining the ideal length of a ureteric stent is important to avoid complications associated with stent placement. Clinically, most urologists usually choose the length of a ureteric stent according to the patient's height. On the basis of a Chinese population study, a 22 cm ureteric stent has been recommended for patients smaller than 175 cm. We evaluated the appropriateness of this recommendation in Korean patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 70 patients who were smaller than 175 cm and who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy and ureteric stent insertion were studied. The appropriateness of the stent length was determined on the basis of plain film findings. Patient discomfort was measured by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) before the removal of the ureteric stent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 29 patients with a 22 cm ureteric stent, 21 patients (72.4%) had an appropriate ureteric stent length and the mean VAS was 4.1. In 36 patients with a 24 cm ureteric stent, 20 patients (55.6%) had an appropriate ureteric stent length and the mean VAS was 4.0. Among 5 patients with a 26 cm ureteric stent, 1 patient (20%) had an appropriate ureteric stent length and the mean VAS was 5.4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Korean patients smaller than 175 cm in height, a 22 cm ureteric stent was an appropriate length.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Ki
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sung Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Paick
authors.forename: Hyoung Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyeong Gon
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lho