[Do postoperative drainage types modify outcomes after retrograde intrarenal surgery?]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Endourology
• Nephrolithiasis Management

Context:

• Retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS) is a common procedure for treating intrarenal stones.
• Postoperative drainage management, including ureteral stent or double pigtail stent placement, is a critical aspect of f-URS recovery.
• The choice of drainage method may influence patient outcomes and surgical practice.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the impact of different postoperative drainage types (ureteral stent vs. double pigtail stent) on outcomes following f-URS with intracorporeal lithotripsy for intrarenal stones.

Summary:

• A retrospective analysis of 162 f-URS procedures for intrarenal stones compared outcomes between ureteral stents and double pigtail stents.
• Double pigtail stents were associated with longer operative times and were more frequently used by less experienced surgeons.
• No significant differences were observed in length of hospital stay, postoperative complication rates, or stone-free status between the two drainage groups.

Impact:

• The findings suggest that while double pigtail stents may be linked to longer operative times and initial surgeon learning curves, they do not negatively affect key patient outcomes after f-URS.
• This information can help guide clinical decisions regarding postoperative drainage strategies in f-URS procedures.
• Further research could explore patient comfort and long-term effects associated with different drainage methods.