Impact of ureteral stent diameter on symptoms and tolerability

Background and Purpose: Indwelling double-pigtail ureteral stents are frequently associated with debilitating symptoms. A randomized study was performed to evaluate the effect of stent diameter (4.7F v. 6F) on symptoms and tolerability. Patients and Methods: Between February and October 2000, 46 consecutive patients undergoing ureteroscopy for stone disease were randomly assigned to receive either a 4.7F (group 1) or a 6F (group 11) ureteral stent following the procedure. The patients were asked to leave their stents in place for minimum of 7 days. Pain and irritative urinary symptoms in the two groups were compared according to a scale ranging from 0 (none) to 5 (severe). The two groups were also compared for stone size and location, rigid v. flexible ureteroscopy, anesthesia, stent migration, and ureteral dilation. Results: There were no differences between the groups in terms of pain (P = 0.28) or irritative symptoms (P = 0.37). There was a tendency for stents in group I to migrate distally and dislodge more often than those in group II (32% v 10%). Conclusions: When stent insertion following ureteroscopy is deemed necessary, a minimum diameter of 6F is recommended.