1979 SELF-REMOVAL OF URETERIC JJ STENTS: ANALYSIS OF PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyStone Disease: SWL, Ureteroscopy or Percutaneous Stone Removal (IV)1 Apr 20131979 SELF-REMOVAL OF URETERIC JJ STENTS: ANALYSIS OF PATIENT EXPERIENCE Nadya York and Sharon English Nadya YorkNadya York Christchurch, New Zealand More articles by this author and Sharon EnglishSharon English Christchurch, New Zealand More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2013.02.2398AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Following ureteroscopy at Christchurch Public Hospital we often discharge patients with a string attached to their stent for self-removal during the next week. Some of our patients voice concerns about this procedure. We wanted to review the patient experience of self-removal of stents in a prospective study. We were particularly interested in the pain and anxiety levels experienced and any complications following stent removal. METHODS Data were collected prospectively on all patients with stents with externalised strings placed intraoperatively from May - December 2011. The patients were provided with stent information sheet and stent removal instructions upon discharge. The investigator phoned patients with a questionnaire 2-3 weeks following stent removal. Patients were asked to report anxiety and pain on a scale of 0-10. They were also questioned about any complications and re-admissions. RESULTS We collected data on 50 consecutive patients with 100% follow up achieved. The mean age was 51 years (range 21-77) and 39/50 (78%) were male. When patients were asked how anxious they were removing their stent, the median score was 5 out of 10 (range 1-10). The main causes of anxiety were the fear of the unknown, possible pain and stent becoming stuck. 35/50 (70%) patients removed the stent themselves and found it relatively easy with median difficulty score of 2 out of 10 (1 being very easy, 10 being difficult). The remaining 15 patients asked a health professional (12) or spouse (3) for assistance in removing the stent. The median stent removal pain score was 2 out of 10 (range 0-8). The vast majority of patients tolerated the procedure well. Three out of four patients would be happy to remove a stent again in the future if required. A small number of patients developed complications. Six experienced flank pain requiring analgesia and three out of fifty were readmitted; one with fever, two with flank pain and subsequent diagnosis of retained stone fragments. Importantly, two patients accidently removed only the strings without the stent. This was recognised and rectified. CONCLUSIONS Ureteric JJ stent removal by patients is well tolerated, despite high initial anxiety. This is a viable alternative to standard flexible cystoscopy ureteric stent removal. Ensuring the stent is removed is essential in preventing complications. © 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 189Issue 4SApril 2013Page: e812 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Nadya York Christchurch, New Zealand More articles by this author Sharon English Christchurch, New Zealand More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...