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. 2018 Apr;46(2):129-136.
doi: 10.1007/s00240-016-0898-1. Epub 2016 Jun 20.

Ureteric stents on extraction strings: a systematic review of literature

Rachel Oliver  1 , Hannah Wells  1 , Olivier Traxer  2 , Thomas Knoll  3 , Omar Aboumarzouk  4   5 , Chandra S Biyani  6 , Bhaskar K Somani  7   8 ; YAU Group
Affiliations

Ureteric stents on extraction strings: a systematic review of literature

Rachel Oliver et al. Urolithiasis. 2018 Apr.

Abstract

Short-term ureteric stents are commonly placed after ureteroscopy. The removal usually entails having a cystoscopy, but recently, endourologists have been using stents with extraction strings attached to them for ease of removal. We wanted to conduct a systematic review of literature looking at the outcomes of ureteric stents with extraction strings attached to them. Our objective was to investigate the use, morbidity, tolerability, complications, associated cost, and patient preference of stents with extraction strings attached to them. All studies in English language (between 1990 and 2015) where stents on extraction strings were either self-removed by patients or removed by physician were included. A total of eight studies (1279 patients) were included, of which 483 (38 %) patients had extraction strings for removal. There seemed to be no overall difference in pain scores or urinary symptoms between patients with and without extraction strings, but nearly 10 % of patients suffered stent dislodgement in the group with extraction strings attached. Overall stent dwell time was lower in patients who had their stents removed via extraction strings, and majority of them were able to remove their stents at home. Our study suggests that stents with extraction strings are easy for patient self-removal and can reduce the stent dwell time for patients, thus reducing the duration of morbidity and physical and financial burden to patients. However, this must be balanced against a risk of stent dislodgement and, hence, may not be a good option in all patients.

Keywords: Extraction; Stent; String; Ureteric; Ureteroscopy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

Review article, so no ethical approval required.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram summarising literature review
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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