Use of magnetic double J stents in pediatric patients

Traditionally, double J stent removal in pediatric patients has required cystoscopy under general anesthesia. Magnetic stents allow for double J stent removal without the need for anesthesia. This work describes our initial experience with these stents.

A prospective cohort study of patients under 14 years of age carrying magnetic double J stents from 2018 to 2021 was performed. Variables assessed included baseline diagnosis, surgical procedure, placement success rate, complications associated with use, and need for general anesthesia at removal.

23 stents (4.8 Fr, 15 cm-20 cm) were placed in 21 patients, 62% of whom were male. Mean age was 5.01 years (3 months-13 years). Indications for placement included Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty (34.8%), endoscopic dilatation of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) (21.8%), cystoscopic dilatation of the ureterovesical junction (UVJ) (17.4%), endoscopic lithotripsy (13.1%), renal trauma (4.3%), suspected retroiliac ureter (4.3%), and cystoscopic drainage of pyonephrosis (4.3%). Mean time of stent use was 4.2 weeks. 3 complications (13%) associated with the double J stent - 1 urinary tract infection (UTI), 1 stent obstruction, and 1 distal stent migration - were recorded. 95.5% of magnetic stents were successfully removed without anesthesia.

Magnetic double J stents can be regarded as an effective alternative to conventional double J stents, since they avoid an additional surgical procedure with general anesthesia in pediatric patients.