Short-term ureteral catheter stenting after uncomplicated transurethral uretero-lithotomy

Short-term (1 or 2 post-operative days) ureteral catheter stenting after transurethral uretero-lithotomy (TUL) to avoid flank pain due to transient ureteral edema is described. Patients who underwent TUL for middle or distal ureteral stones with a rigid ureteroscope without complications during the procedures were the candidates for short-term ureteral stenting. An end-hole ureteral catheter, used to insert a guide wire during TUL, were used for stenting. The tip of the catheter was located near the renal pelvis and the other end was introduced outside through the urethra with a 14 F urethral catheter. The stent and catheter were removed on post-operative day 1 or 2. For the 18 patients treated using this method, the time of analgesic use after stent removal was 0.6+/-0.8, indicating a sufficient duration of stenting. Short-term ureteral catheter stenting is a cheap and easy way for post-operative management for uncomplicated TUL.