Introduction: The absence of guidelines in the management of extramural malignant ureteric obstruction leads to confusion in decision making and in the interaction between urology and other clinical disciplines. In this study, we surveyed consultant urologists with the goal of achieving a better consensus on optimal management options.
Methods: A multiple choice survey was sent via the online survey tool "SurveyMonkey" to all consultant urologists practicing in the Republic of Ireland.
Results: There was a response rate of 57.5% (n = 23). Twenty-two (96%) consultants consider the use of percutaneous nephrostomy with placement of antegrade ureteric stent but only 22% (n = 5) would consider using a metallic stent. Eleven (48%) respondents favor retrograde stenting in the first instance with an equal proportion choosing an antegrade method. Nine (39%) consultants perform the initial stent change at 4-6 months, 8 (35%) at 2-4 months, and 1 at < 2 months and 6-10 months respectively. Total 59% (n = 13) of respondents felt that the duration of expected patient survival influenced their decision and agreement to stent with 42% (n = 8) saying this survival would need to be > 6 months and 82% (n = 18) were generally happy with the level of ongoing communication between urology and the primary service managing the patient.
Conclusion: There is a lack of consensus regarding the management of this challenging problem, particularly with regard to timing of first stent change and whether to initially use an antegrade or retrograde approach. This reflects the heterogeneous patient cohort and the important factors of life expectancy and patient co-morbidities.
Keywords: Obstructive uropathy; Ureteral stent.