Abstract
Introduction: Auto-expandable ureteral stents can be an alternative to percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in refractory ureteral stenosis. Our aim was to analyse results and complications of ureteral stents in our centre. Methods: Retrospective review of OptiMed® expandable ureteral stents placed in our centre (1996–2022). Analysis of complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) was performed. Kaplan-Meier curves (long-rank test) to assess stent permeability and Cox regression for associated factors were performed. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included. Median follow-up was 36 months (11–82). Median age was 61 years (48–68). Most frequent aetiology of ureteral stenosis was malignancy in 30 cases (53.6%). The most common location of stricture was distal ureter in 44 (63.8%) ureteral strictures. Creatinine levels improved in 28 (48.3%) cases. Most common acute complication was urinary tract infection in 6 (3.4%) patients (Clavien-Dindo II). Twenty patients presented with stent obstruction. Fourteen (24.1%) were solved with double J stenting and 6 (10.3%) cases with PCN. Mean stent survival time was 50 months (34.3–65.8). By the end of follow-up, 23 (39.6%) patients were alive. Of those, 9 (39.1%) had a functioning stent. No association of any factor with patency of stent was found. Conclusions: Expandable ureteral stents are an alternative to PCN in fragile patients with refractory stenosis, which offers a better quality of life.