Is Urethral Catheter Necessary After Ureteroscopy and DJ Stent Placement?

Ureteral stents and foley catheters are the most commonly used disposables in urological practice. Ureteral double J (DJ) stents are frequently used to relieve ureteral obstruction and almost as a routine part of the ureteroscopic procedures by many surgeons.

DJ stent placement has the potential side effects such as flank pain and urinary tract infection (UTI) due to retrograde urine flow. As the bladder pressure increases during voiding, urine reflux occurs both beside and through the DJ stent. In order to overcome these problems, stents with antireflux mechanisms are produced, however these new stents comes with higher costs compared to conventional stents.

Foley catheters are the hands and feet of all urologists and insertion of a foley catheter can easily keep the bladder pressures as low as required. The practice of insertion of a foley catheter into the urinary bladder after ureteroscopy for kidney or renal stones and DJ stent placement doesn't have an evidence-based background and it routinely depends on the choice of the surgeon.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether routine insertion of a bladder catheter following ureteroscopy and DJ stent placement can reduce stent-related problems due to reflux and urinary tract infections.

Inclusion criteria

• adult patients
• Patients with indications for semirigid or flexible ureteroscopy and DJ stent placement for unilateral ureteral and/or kidney stones according to European Association of Urology Urolithiasis Guidelines

Exclusion criteria

• none