Prophylactic Ureteral Stenting in Laparoscopic Colectomy: Revisiting Traditional Practice

Prophylactic placement of ureteral stents is performed during open colectomy to aid in ureteral identification and to enhance detection of injury. The effects of this practice in laparoscopic colectomy are unknown. This study compares outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy with and without prophylactic ureteral stenting.

A retrospective cohort study at a tertiary academic medical center was performed. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of ureteral injury. Secondary outcomes evaluated included mortality, length of stay, procedural duration, and new-onset urinary complication (hematuria, dysuria, and urinary tract infection).

In 702 consecutive patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colectomy from 2013 to 2016, prophylactic stents were placed in 261 (37%) patients. Two ureteral injuries occurred (0.3%), both in patients who underwent ureteral stent placement (P = 0.07) and were found and repaired intraoperatively. There was no in-hospital mortality. When accounting for age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity score, procedural indication, gender, BMI, and extent of resection, no difference in hospital length of stay (P = 0.79) was noted comparing patients with and without stenting. However, stent placement prolonged operating time (P = 0.03) and increased the risk of new-onset urinary complications (P = 0.04).

In this study, ureteral injuries only occurred in those with stent placement. Prophylactic ureteral stents in laparoscopic colectomy are associated with increased operative time and urologic morbidity. Owing to the low prevalence of ureteral injury in the elective setting and the increased risk of urinary complications, use of prophylactic ureteral stenting should be highly selective.