Safety and effectiveness of magnetic ureteric stent removal under ultrasound control: a randomized single center trial

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of magnetic ureteric stent removal with a special magnet retriever under ultrasound guidance.

Methods: A total of 60 male patients, who underwent ureteroscopy from October 2020 to March 2022, were prospectively enrolled and randomized into two groups. Group A patients underwent conventional double-J (DJ) stent insertion and subsequent stent removal via flexible cystoscopy. Group B patients underwent stent insertion using magnetic ureteric stent [Blackstar, Urotech (Achenmühle, Germany)] and stents were removed using a special magnet retriever under ultrasound guidance. Stents were left in situ for 30 days in both groups. All patients had follow-ups with a ureter stent symptoms questionnaire at 3- and 30-days post stent insertion. Visual analog scale (VAS) was assessed immediately after stent removal.

Results: Stent removal time (142.5 s vs 142.5 s, group A vs group B, p < 0.0001) and VAS scores (4 vs 1, group A vs group B, p = 0.0008) were significantly lower in Group B. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups in the "urinary symptoms" (p = 0.3471) and "sexual matters" (p = 0.6126) in the USSQ domains. There was marginal statistical significance favoring Group A in the "body pain" (p = 0.0303), "general health score" (p = 0.0072), "additional problems" (p = 0.0142), and "work performance" (p < 0.0001) domains.

Conclusions: Magnetic ureteric stent can be considered as a safe and efficient alternative to conventional DJ stent. This approach avoids the need for cystoscopy, saving resources while minimizing patient discomfort.

Keywords: Removal; Retriever; Ultrasound; Ureteral stent.