Fluoro-less ureteral stent placement deemed feasible

(HealthDay)—The placement of ureteral stents following uncomplicated ureteroscopic stone removal, without fluoroscopy for image guidance, is feasible and has comparable accuracy and complication rates to that of conventional ureteral stent placement with fluoroscopy, according to research published online in the October issue of Urology.

Wayne Brisbane, of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California, and colleagues conducted a retrospective review to compare the outcomes for 25 patients who underwent fluoro-less stent placement and 25 patients who underwent conventional stent placement with fluoroscopy.

The researchers found that all 25 fluoro-less stent placements were performed successfully. Grade 1 placement was achieved in 76 and 64 percent of the fluoro-less placement group and the conventional group, respectively. However, this difference did not achieve statistical significance. No significant differences were observed between the groups in complication rates.

"Ureteral stent placement without fluoroscopic guidance is feasible. It maintains comparable efficacy and complication rates with conventional ureteral stent placement," the authors write. "This technique allows reduced radiation exposure in patients requiring ureteral stent placement."