Comparison of the conservative approach with ureteral stent implantation in treating hydronephrosis during pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: Physiological and anatomical changes in the urinary system are expected in pregnancy. Therefore, uretero-hydronephrosis is observed in pregnant women in the second trimester. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of ureteral double J stenting (DBJ) on perinatal outcomes and maternal urinary system values in order to decrease fetal and maternal morbidity of maternal hydronephrosis. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three pregnant women included in the study are split into two groups: 44 were administered conservative pain palliation (non-DBJ group/control) and 19 were implanted with a ureteral double J stent (DBJ group/case). Renal functions were evaluated using blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels. The presence of inflammation and infection was investigated using white blood cell (WBC) count, WBC in urine, nitrite presence, and growth in urine culture. The week hydronephrosis began and fetal birth weight and date were scanned. Results: There were no statistically significant difference between two groups leucocite, erythrocyte in urine, growth in urine culture, nitrite positivity indicated, and creatinine levels (P > 0.05, for all). BUN values were significantly lower in the DBJ group (P = 0.005). The prevalence of WBC in urine was statistically significantly higher in the DBJ group (P = 0.02). The week of birth was statistically significantly lower in the DBJ group than that in the non-DBJ group (36 ± 2 vs. 37.6 ± 3, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Our study suggests that implantation of a DBJ to patients who do not respond to conservative hydronephrosis treatment does not decrease the possibility of preterm birth and low birth weight.