Double pigtail ureteral stent in pediatric urology

We used a double pigtail ureteral stent in 16 children (aged 15 days to 13 years). Indications included: pyeloplasty (12 cases with 2 anastomotic leakages and 1 acute post-operative renal retention), renal trauma (1 case), difficult ureterocystoneostomy (1 case), urinary ascites (1 case), and abdominal tumor compression (1 case). This drainage procedure provides a useful alternative to an external tube diversion (standard ureteral stent or nephrostomy). In pediatric urology, the double stent offers the advantages of exceptional patient tolerance, drainage security and efficiency, and short hospital stay. In our experience, stents were removed on an out-patient basis under general anesthesia but non-endoscopic removal will be possible when smaller magnetic retrievers become available in the urologic armamentarium.