Evaluation of pain perception associated with use of the magnetic-end ureteric double-J stent for short-term ureteric stenting

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the morbidity, complication rate, and pain perception during removal of a novel ureteric stent with a magnetic end using a-traumatic retrieval catheter. Methods: Between November 2013 and July 2015, 151 consecutive patients who underwent semirigid ureterorenoscopy (URS) for stone removal were prospectively enrolled. Stent removal was performed under local anesthesia using a special magnetic-end stent remover 1 week following URS. At follow-up, we obtained patients’ medical history, urine culture result, renal ultrasonogram, and visual analog scale (VAS) score regarding stent irritation (VAS 1) and pain during removal (VAS 2). Results: Pain perception during stent removal was significantly less painful in patients with a magnet stent than in those with a regular stent (p OpenSPiltSPi 0.001). Stent irritation was slightly higher in patients with an indwelling magnet stent than in those with a regular stent (p OpenSPiltSPi 0.001). No significant differences in stent irritations were found in patients who had a magnetic stent for 4 weeks after laparoscopic pyeloplasty (p = 0.20). Patients with a magnetic stent experienced significantly less pain during removal with a median VAS 2 score of 2.5 and a mean VAS 2 score of 2.58 [standard deviation (SD) ± 0.90] than those without a magnetic stent a median VAS 2 of 6 and a mean VAS 2 of 5.88 (SD ± 1.43). The stent length correlated with stent irritation (p = 0.05), and it significantly correlated with pain during removal (p OpenSPiltSPi 0.001). Conclusion: The magnetic-end ureteric double-J stent is a safe option associated with less pain, particularly for male patients requiring short-term ureteric stenting.