A Novel Retrieval Technique for Ureteral Stents Under Ultrasound Guidance in Male Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To simply retrieve double-J stents in male patients under ultrasound guidance, a novel technique is developed and evaluated for efficiency, safety, and tolerability.

METHODS: Fifty-six male patients, ranging in age from 23 to 65 years old, were recruited from March to December 2015. Thirty patients (32 stents) underwent double-J stent retrieval by ultrasound guidance and 26 patients (28 stents) underwent cystoscopy retrieval separately. Clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Hematuria and leukocytosis were assessed every day postoperatively. A visual analog pain scale on a scale of 0-10 was used to assess procedure-related pain.

RESULTS: In the experimental group, 87.5% of ureteral stents were successfully removed. Using our novel technique without any local anesthesia, male patients experienced less pain compared with the cystoscopy group significantly (P < .001). The majority of complications were microscopic hematuria (39.28%), less than that in the cystoscopy group (69.23%, P = .027). Meanwhile, only few patients have leukocytosis in both groups (14.3% vs 11.5%, P > .05). Average procedure time was 7.35 ± 2.59 minutes longer than that of the standard group (5.13 ± 1.29 minutes; P < .001). However, it had been improved with increasing experience (r = 0.618, P < .001). In addition, this novel technique is cost-effective for clinical practice.

CONCLUSION: This is the first study to assess the possibility of ultrasound-guided retrieval technique in male patients. The safety and success rate of this new technique is similar to that of a conventional procedure. Whereas it is tolerable and cost effective for male and disabled patient bear with lithotomy position.