Use of double-J stents prior to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is not beneficial: results of a prospective randomized study

Objectives Since introduction of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in treating patients with urinary tract stones in our clinic for the first time in our city Aden 5 years ago, we stented all patients with kidney stone >1 cm routinely before the procedure. Our aim of this study is to compare symptoms and complications of patients with and without stenting. Patients and methods In 2003, 120 patients with renal stone(s) amenable to ESWL management were prospectively treated in two groups: stented (60 patients) and unstented (60 patients). All patients were admitted for 48 h after ESWL and then followed for 3 months after discharge by the same treating group of doctors. Patients were followed-up radiographically to assess stone-free rate after 1 and 3 months. Results There was no statistical difference in flank or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, transient hematuria, temperature or use of analgesics on the first and second day after ESWL in the stented or unstented group. Fifty-one patients (85%) of stented group complained of side effects attributable to stent including urinary frequency and urgency, bladder pain and hematuria with urination, which in all patients but 3 of them were treated as out patient and one of the unstented group, who were readmitted because of mild to severe pain, fever, and chills. In all stented patients, we removed the stents after 2 weeks; except in readmitted patients where it was removed earlier. Plain X-ray film was done for all patients after one and 3 months. Eight patients with stents (6.7%) had >5 mm residual fragments. In these patients second ESWL session was necessary. Three months stone-free rate was 88% in stented and 91% in unstented group, respectively. Conclusion The use of double-J stents prior to ESWL treatment is not beneficial.