Ureteric Stenting-Current Status

Antegrade ureteric stenting is now an established technique in the armamentarium of the interventional radiologist. Double J ureteric stents have a high technical success rate with a low procedural complication rate and eminently fulfil the clinical objective of deobstructing the ureter and establishing urinary drainage. This reflects technical improvements with superior stent materials, improved guidewires (particularly hydrophilic guidewires), and use of access aids such as peel away sheaths, dilatation balloons, and catheters. Current stents, however, have limited durability and lead to significant background patient morbidity. As yet, metal stents do not offer any clear advantage, but promising new plastic and metal devices are being explored. KEYWORD Ureter - ureter stent - nephrostomy