[Assessment of double-J ureteral catheters at a lithotripsy unit: our experience]

The present study evaluated a total of 350 patients who underwent placement of double-J catheters as a result of their lithiasic condition. The work includes a review of the patients' urological background, indication for the double-J placement, tolerance to catheter, time of permanence, reason for withdrawal, presence of encrustations in the catheter and relationship between all these parameters. A significant increase of adverse symptoms was observed when permanence of the double-J catheter lasted longer than 6 weeks. Likewise, there was a significant increase in the number of encrustations in catheters retained longer than 6 weeks, as well as when the lithiasic mass was meaningful and urine cultures were positive. The authors consider that double-J catheters effectively prevent the complications of the lithiasic condition but an excessively long permanence, more than 6 weeks, increases occurrence of side-effects significantly.