A Forgotten Ureteral Stent: Potential Risks for the Urinary Function

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nephrology

Background:

• A patient with a left double kidney and ureter duplex underwent endoscopic stone removal.
• A ureteral stent (DJ) was placed but not removed post-procedure.

Observation:

• The retained DJ stent led to significant complications including bladder stone formation and encrustation.
• A staghorn calculus developed in the upper moiety of the duplex kidney.
• Renal scintigraphy revealed non-significant function of the upper moiety.

Findings:

• The retained ureteral stent was the primary cause of the severe calculus formation.
• The upper moiety of the duplex kidney was functionally compromised.

Implications:

• This case highlights the critical importance of stent removal after urological procedures.
• Retained foreign bodies can lead to severe complications, necessitating complex surgical interventions.
• Careful patient communication and follow-up are essential to prevent such adverse events.