Background: A ureteral double-J stent (D-JS) is a hollow tube used to redirect urine from the kidneys to the bladder,
Aim: This research aimed to compile data on patients in upper Egypt to understand better the rate of neglect of double-J ureteral stents (DJS), the reasons for this neglect, the associated consequences, and the current methods for dealing with these issues.
Patients and Methods: This hospital-based prospective clinical investigation was conducted in The Urology Department, Al-Azhar University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt. It comprised all patients who presented with neglected DJS (indwelling time > 6 months) between January and July of 2022. DJ stents were implanted after URS in 37.3% of patients. The DJ stent insert was used before SWL in 20.3% of patients and after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in 12.8% of cases.
Results: 22 patients (55%) received medical treatment for UTIs, 16 instances (40%) received conservative treatment for gross hematuria, & the other cases required several treatment modalities due to mixed pathology. And we watched that different approaches were required for stent removal. The majority of cases (24%) were removed with simple cystoscopy, 9 cases (22%) via URS, 2 cases via PNL, 3 cases (7.5%) via cystolithotripsy, and the remaining cases (2%) via combination endoscopic and/or open surgical techniques.
Conclusion: DJS indwelling time-related problems are more likely in patients who are noncompliant or who have disregarded their stent. In spite of the widespread use of endourological procedures, avoiding problems should always be the first concern. Potential consequences from ignored DJS can be avoided if regular operating procedures for placement and removal are followed.