Change of Symptom Characteristics with Time in Patients with Indwelling Double-J Ureteral Stents

Han, Chang Hee; Ha, U Syn; Park, Duk Jin; Kim, Soo Hwan; Lee, Yong Seok; Kang, Sung Hak

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the prevalence of various urinary tract symptoms and the development of tolerance over time in patients with short term, indwelling, double-J (D-J) ureteral stents using a specially designed questionnaire and a 10cm linear visual analogue scale (VAS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty-nine patients (median age 46.0 years, range 18-65; 32 men and 27 women) who underwent ureteroscopic surgery for ureteral obstruction caused by benign conditions (stone or stricture) completed the study. All patients received polyurethane D-J ureteral stents (5 or 6Fr, 24 or 26cm) which were removed 19-55 days postoperatively. Urinary symptoms and pain questionnaires were obtained from each patient at postoperative 24 hours, one week, and on the day before stent removal. Tolerance to the stent was also assessed.
RESULTS
All patients reported one or more urinary symptoms. Flank and suprapubic pain were reported more often on voiding or when walking than at rest. Although urgency was reported more frequently over time, the other urinary symptoms remained unchanged. There was no significant difference between the VAS scores for 24 hours, the first week and the day before removal, either overall or when stratified by gender or type of occupation. A factorial analysis of variance analyzing the VAS score for the first week as a function of gender and type of occupation showed no significant effect.
CONCLUSIONS
Almost all patients with short-term placement of indwelling D-J ureteral stent had untoward symptoms. Although the prevalence of urgency was significantly increased over time, the general tolerance remained unchanged.