Cost‐effectiveness of percutaneous nephrostomy vs JJ stent in obstructive urolithiasis: economic evaluation alongside the STent Or NEphrostomy (STONE) randomised controlled trial

Key Points

• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of percutaneous nephrostomy compared to JJ ureteric stent in managing obstructive urolithiasis.
• Conducted an economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled trial
• Compared procedural costs of JJ stent and percutaneous nephrostomy
• Assessed societal costs during waiting periods for stone removal
• JJ stent was identified as the likely more cost-effective option despite higher procedural costs
• Procedural costs can be reduced by performing interventions outside the operating theatre
• Most societal costs occurred during waiting periods for definitive treatment