Ureteral Stenting After Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery for Renal Stones

One-Day External Ureteral Catheter Versus Double-J Internal Ureteral Stent After Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery for Renal Stones: A Prospective, Randomized Trial

Several studies evaluated the benefit of a short-term external ureteral catheter (UC) compared to double-J (DJ) ureteral stent after flexible ureteroscopy (URS); the results were controversial. These studies had combined analyses of ureteral and renal stones with a high risk of selection bias. Studies comparing external UC and DJ stent after flexible URS for isolated renal stones are lacking.

In the present study, the investigators will compare the outcomes of using a one-day external UC versus a DJ internal ureteral stent for ureteral drainage after retrograde flexible URS (retrograde intrarenal surgery "RIRS") for renal stones. The investigators aim to identify the best ureteral drainage method after RIRS regarding stone clearance, complications, and stent-related symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients of either gender in whom RIRS was the primary modality.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women
• Active urinary tract infection
• solitary kidney
• Concomitant pathology that need intervention in the same setting
• Patients with surgical incidents that indicate double-J stenting (Residual sizable fragments, ureteral false passage, ureteral mucosal laceration, ureteral perforation, and calyceal rupture).