Urogenital Research Unit State University of Rio de Janeiro

Purpose: To determine factors affecting patients ’ discomfort during the period self-retaining ureteral stents are in place. Patients and Methods: Between April 2001 and May 2003, 58 male and 42 female patients underwent temporary double-pigtail stenting. The indications were endopyelotomy in 39 patients, ureteroscopy in 32, laparoscopic pyeloplasty in 18, and endoureterotomy in 11. The stents were silicone in 56 patients and Percuflex in 44. The median stenting period was 8 weeks (range 4-16 weeks). Patient discomfort was evaluated by a questionnaire conducted by the physician before stent removal. Tested variables were patients ’ sex, side of the stent, urine culture, stent material, stent length and diameter, and stenting duration. The site of the upper coil (renal pelvis or calix), the site of the lower coil (in the same side or crossing the midline), and the shape of the lower coil (complete circle or not) were also tested. Univariate and multivariate analysis were carried out to determine significant independent variables, with P < 0.05 being significant. Results: Of the total, 59 patients experienced discomfort consisting of dysuria, urgency, urge incontinence, loin pain, suprapubic pain, frequency, nocturia, or gross hematuria or some combination. Significant factors associate