Image-Guided Pediatric Ureteric Stent Insertions: An 11-Year Experience

Abstract

PurposeTo report the technical success and complication rates for double J ureteric stent placements by interventional radiologists in children. Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis of double J ureteric stents placed between January 2001 and December 2011 was conducted. Data collected included patient demographics, procedural details (indication, double J stent size, access approach, concurrent procedures), technical and functional success, tube dwell time, and procedure-related complications. Descriptive statistics were employed. Placement of 59 double J ureteric stents was attempted in 49 procedures performed on 35 pediatric patients (26 boys and 9 girls) with a mean age of 7.3 years (range, 22 d–17.9 y; median age, 4 y) and a mean weight of 22 kg (range, 2.5–70 kg). ResultsThere were 44 de novo double J stent insertion attempts: 20 one-stage procedures (17 anterograde, 3 retrograde through the urethra) and 24 two-stage anterograde procedures through an existing nephrostomy tube. There were 15 exchanges; 11 were anterograde, and 4 were retrograde (2 urethral, 2 Mitrofanoff). Of 49 procedures, 15 were performed as combined procedures with a urologist. Technical success was 95% (56 of 59), and primary functional success was 95% (53 of 56). Complications included two minor complications occurring during the procedure and four complications occurring after the procedure. ConclusionsImage-guided insertion of a double J ureteric stent is an effective treatment for pediatric urologic obstructive conditions. The procedure is both technically and functionally successful in a high percentage of pediatric patients.