Ureteroscopic removal of retained ureteral Double-J stents

At the Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Double-J stents are placed primarily for management of patients with calculi. They are used before extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of large renal calculi or bilateral ESWL treatments and after ureteroscopic instrumentation or removal of calculi. They are also used for palliative urinary diversion for patients with ureteral obstruction secondary to pelvic cancer. Fluoroscopy with C-arm guidance is the standard radiologic technique employed for manipulation of all calculi and insertion of stents. Results have been good with the use of these stents, but in 3 patients the rigid ureteroscope was required to remove a retained Double-J stent.