Stent placement after flexible ureterorenoscopy for renal stones can improve stone-free rate on final follow-up: A retrospective single center study

Aim: Although the advantage of ureteral double j (D/J) stenting has been shown in reducing post- operative pain after ureteroscopic surgery, its contribution to stone clearance for additional treatment has not been fully assessed. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of stenting on stone free rates at the end of the additional treatment. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent flexible ureterorenoscopy (FURS) for kidney stones between October 2009 and January 2015. Patients with malignant ureteral stricture, severe skeletal malformation, renal unit malformation, non-opaque renal stone or lost to follow-up were excluded. 47 of 289 patients (stenting 24 patients, non-stenting 23 patients) assessed. The perioperative and postoperative parameters and stone-free rates were compared in patients whether they had intraoperative D/J stent (group 1) or not (group 2). Results: No differences were found between groups according to age, gender, body mass index, operation history, preoperative stenting history, shockwave lithotripsy history, ureteral stricture, stone size, access sheath rate, retreatment, or additional treatment number and stone location. Operation time was significantly higher in group 1. Those who refused additional treatment were insignificantly lower in group 1. Although the stone-free rates were similar for the two groups at the end of the first month, the stone-free rates after the additional treatments were significantly higher in group 1. Conclusion: Stenting during FURS, improved the stone-free rate on final follow-up, if residual stones remain.