Addressing forgotten double J stents: Lessons learned from a tertiary care center

Double-J (DJ) stents find extensive use in Endourology. Nevertheless, occurrence of forgotten stents is not uncommon. This retrospective study details our encounters in handling forgotten stents and outlines the measures we have implemented to mitigate morbidity associated with DJ stents.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of hospital records of cases with Forgotten DJ stents from Jan 2021 to Jan 2025. The details reviewed included age, sex, indication for stenting, duration of the indwelling stent, presenting complaints, management, and complications.

Of the total of 35 patients, the mean patient age was 46.8 years (14-70 years). The male-to-female ratio was 4:3 (20 males and 15 females). The mean indwelling time was 35.8 months. Flank pain was the commonest symptom (72.7%), followed by storage lower urinary tract symptoms (54.5%) and dysuria (50%). Complicated stents were noted in 17 patients (48.5%), whereas uncomplicated stents were noted in 18 patients (51.5%). All 18 "uncomplicated" stents could be removed cystoscopically, while complicated stents were removed by the combination of endourological techniques mainly, while two patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in which one of them needed open cystolithotomy also.

The issue of forgotten DJ stents remains a prevalent problem in developing countries, causing significant morbidity and financial burdens for patients. Stent registers and electronic stent extraction reminders helps us to minimize the incidence of forgotten stents.