The Small Acute Ureteral Stone Protocol: Clinical Outcomes and Relapse Patterns

Purpose: Nephrolithiasis affects approximately 10% of North Americans, placing a significant burden on health care systems. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel, virtual Small Acute Ureteral Stone (SAUS) protocol for managing ureteral stones ≤5 mm, aiming to optimize resource utilization and patient care. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 209 consecutive patients enrolled in the SAUS protocol from June 2018 to May 2019. The protocol included follow-up renal bladder ultrasound and nurse case manager telephone assessment. Patients were followed for a median of 5.4 years, with data collected on stone passage rates, interventions, and long-term outcomes. Results: The SAUS protocol successfully redirected 53% of patients from urgent clinic visits. Of these, 98% did not necessitate urologic intervention for their small ureteral stone. Overall, 77% of patients showed radiographical confirmation of stone passage, and 74% reported being symptom-free. Only 13% of all patients underwent intervention for their initial ureteral stone. Long-term follow-up revealed that after discharge from our protocol, 67% of patients did not re-present over 5 years, and 90% remained free from urologic intervention. The study's retrospective nature and reliance on electronic medical records may have introduced bias. Patient adherence to follow-up recommendations varied, potentially affecting outcome accuracy. Conclusion: The SAUS protocol demonstrates effectiveness in virtually managing small ureteral stones, reducing unnecessary clinic visits and interventions. The protocol's success suggests its potential for implementation in similar clinical scenarios, potentially reducing health care costs and improving patient care in urolithiasis management.