Choosing an Appropriate Length of Loop Type Ureteral Stent Using Direct Ureteral Length Measurement

Abstract

Purpose: The ureteral stent is now a fundamental part of many urological procedures. To decrease ureteral stent-related symptoms, loop type ureteral stent was developed. However the most important factor to decrease urinary symptoms is choosing the optimal length of a ureteral stent. We investigated the relationship between the actual ureteral length and the loop type ureteral stent position. Materials and Methods: A total of 226 loop type polyurethane ureteral stents (156 patients) were inserted with four options for stent length (20, 22, 24 and 26 cm). The ureteral length was measured using a ruled 5-Fr ureteral catheter. The appropriateness of stent position was defined into three groups based on kidney-ureter-bladder films. Results: Nine stents (3.9%) migrated, 171 stents (75.7%) were in the appropriate position and 46 stents (19.5%) were overlong. The rate of migration rate and overlong stents closely correlated with the ureteral length when the proximal end of the stent was in the renal pelvis. Conclusions: It is appropriate to choose a loop type ureteral stent that is the same or 1 cm less than the length of the ureter when the proximal end of the stent will be in the renal pelvis.