Luminal Obstruction of Double J Stents Due to Encrustation Depends on Indwelling Time: A Pilot Study

Double J (DJ) stents serve as a therapeutic option to relieve obstruction. However, incrustation can be an important cause of dysfunction of these stents. We investigated the relationship between incrustation of DJ stents and indwelling time using a grading system for luminal occlusion. The medical records of 42 patients with urolithiasis related to DJ stent incrustation were retrospectively reviewed. All polyurethane DJ stents were examined for severity of incrustation with a grading system based on the occlusion of stent lumen. For the level of grades 3 groups of patients were compared: group 1 included 14 patients whose stents were removed a month after insertion; group 2 included 16 patients whose stents were removed 45 days after insertion; group 3 included 12 patients whose stents were removed 3 months after insertion. The incrustation of 42 DJ stents was graded from 1 to 3 depending on the occlusion of the DJ stent. Mean age of patients was 39.6±6.71 years and median indwelling time was 50 days. The groups were similar regarding age, sex, and side of DJ stent. In comparison, the grade of incrustation in group 3 was higher than the grades in group 1 and group 2 (p=0.001). Incrustation is one of the most important complications of DJ stents, and was related to indwelling time. Therefore, close follow-up and frequent DJ stent changes are very important in patients with urolithiasis.