Noncystoscopic Removal of Double-J Stent in Women: Feasibility and Safety

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a simple noncystoscopic method previously applied in children for removing double-J stents applied in women by comparing the hospitalization time, operation time, costs, complications, and success rate.

Methods: One hundred eighty women who underwent either cystoscopic or noncystoscopic double-J stent removal in a randomized manner. They were randomly assigned 1:1 to groups of cystoscopic double-J stent removal (n = 90) or noncystoscopic double-J stent removal (n = 90). The age ranged from 19 to 72years. After the removal of the double-J stent, the operation time, costs, complications, and success rate were compared between the two groups.

Results: The operation time of the noncystoscopic group was lower than that of the cystoscopic group (6.0(5.0,7.0) minutes vs 2.0(2.0,3.0) minutes, P < .001). The hospitalization costs of the noncystoscopic group were significantly shorter than that of the cystoscopic group (1361.2(1331.4,1379.2) Yuan vs 873.9(868.5,896.1) Yuan, P < .001). There were no complications such as infection and massive bleeding in the two groups during and after the operation. Most noncystoscopic double-J stent removal can succeed in less than three attempts (88/90). All patients in the noncystoscopic group used this technique to remove the double-J stent.

Conclusion: Noncystoscopic removal of double-J stent has the advantages of short operation time and low hospitalization costs. It is a safe and feasible minimally invasive method to replace cystoscopic removal of the double-J stent.