The Efficacy of Ureteral Stents in Shock Wave Lithotripsy of Medium Sized Renal Calculi

Kim, Young Hack; Kwon, Chil Hun

Abstract

PURPOSE: Although double-J ureteral stents are used prophylactically to reduce morbidity and complications following shock wave lithotripsy(SWL), the efficacy is still controversial. To evaluate the efficacy of urethral stunting in SWL of medium sized(1.5-2.5cm) renal calculi, we performed a randomized study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analysed the outcome of SWL in 46 patients with medium sized(1.5-2.5cm) solitary renal calculi. The study population was divided Into two groups, group 1 consisting of patients who had urethral stents before SWL(n=21) and group 2 of those who did not(n=25). Several variables, including complications, operation requirements and stone free rates, were evaluated.
RESULTS
There were no statistical differences between group 1 and group 2 in the incidence of ureteral obstruction or steinstrasse(19% vs 20%), hospitalization (10% vs 16%), operation requirements(10% vs 12%) and stone free rate after 3 months(81% vs 76%). Of 21 patients with stunts, 4(19%) had urinary frequency or urgency and 4(19%) had dysuria.
CONCLUSIONS
Regarding our results, placement of urethral stents would not be useful in SWL of medium sized renal calculi.