Anti-reflux ureteral stent improves stent-related symptoms and quality of life: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of anti-reflux ureteral stents on improving symptoms and quality of life of patients with ureteral stents.

METHODS: We randomized 120 patients with urolithiasis who required ureteral stent placement after ureteroscopic lithotripsy, of which 107 (56 in standard ureteral stent group and 51 in anti-reflux ureteral stent) entered the final analysis. Severity of flank pain and suprapubic pain, back soreness during micturition, VAS, gross hematuria, perioperative creatinine increase, dilatation of the upper tract, urinary tract infection, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: There were no serious complications after operation in all 107 cases. The anti-reflux ureteral stent had less flank pain and suprapubic pain (P<0.05), VAS (P<0.05) and back soreness during micturition (P<0.05). The health status index scores (P<0.05); dimensions of usual activities and pain/discomfort (P<0.05) in the anti-reflux ureteral stent group was statistically better than those in the standard ureteral stent group. There were no significant differences between the groups in perioperative creatinine increase, dilatation of the upper tract, gross hematuria and urinary tract infection.

CONCLUSIONS: The anti-reflux ureteral stent has the same safety and efficacy as the standard ureteral stent, and is significantly better than the standard ureteral stent in flank pain and suprapubic pain, back soreness during micturition, VAS, and quality of life.