Evaluating Predictive Factor of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Postoperative Pain in Patients Without Ureteral Stent Placement After Ureteral Access Sheath Use in Flexible Ureteroscopy for Stone Management

Abstract

Background and Objective:

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the safety of stentless flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) using a ureteral access sheath (UAS) for stone management.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 270 ureteral stentless postoperative patients were analyzed. Stentless indication was characterized by having no ureteral wall or mucosa injury with only slight erosion, <1 hour operative time, and no endoscopic stone fragments with or without stone dust. Postoperative complications and pain were analyzed for safety measurements. In addition, preoperative and intraoperative risk factors associated with the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and postoperative pain were evaluated.

Results:

The most common UAS sizes were 10/12F (69.6%) and 9.5/11.5F (28.1%). The rate of patients who were stone free was 95.9%. The median operation time was 34 minutes. Only three grade 1 ureteral injuries occurred intraoperatively. Postoperative SIRS occurred in 8.8% of patients, and postoperative use of analgesics was 35.9%. Only four patients were required to undergo eventual ureteral stenting. Less than 10/12F UAS was the only factor positively associated with preventing postoperative SIRS (odds ratio [OR], 4.733; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.085–20.644). Older age and preoperative ureteral stenting were positively associated with preventing postoperative pain (OR, 0.970; 95% CI, 0.951–0.990 and OR, 0.427; 95% CI, 0.232–0.786; respectively).

Conclusion:

Stentless fURS with UAS in stone management was feasible for selected patients. UAS size of <10/12F, older age, and preoperative stenting are possible keystones to achieving stentless fURS with UAS postoperatively. IRB approval number; 20216101.