The Effect of Ureteral JJ Stent Removal Methods on Pain Intensity in Male Patients Under Local Anesthesia

Authors : Emre Hepşen, İsmail Emre Ergin

Pages : 105-110

Doi:10.54233/endourolbull-1667983

View : 48 | Download : 57

Publication Date : 2025-09-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Ureteral stents are commonly used, especially in the treatment of ureteral stones, and are removed endoscopically after a certain period following the procedure. The removal of these stents under local anesthesia, particularly in male patients, can cause pain. Rigid cystoscopes are typically used, but the use of thinner and more flexible endoscopic instruments is considered an alternative to reduce pain. This study aims to compare the pain experienced during Double-J stent removal using a rigid cystoscope versus a semirigid ureterorenoscope (URS). Materials and Methods: Our study included patients who underwent unilateral endoscopic ureteral stone treatment followed by Double-J stent placement. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether their stent removal was performed using a rigid cystoscope or a semirigid URS. All stent removals were performed by the same surgeon. Immediately after the ureteral stent removal, the pain score was evaluated and recorded by the operating physician using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: Among the 120 patients included in the study, 57 (47.5%) were in the cystoscopy group (group 1) and 63 (52.5%) were in the URS group (group 2). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of stent side (p=0.47) and average age (p=0.16). However, group 1 had a significantly higher VAS score (3.6±1.7) compared to group 2 (1.9±0.8) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Due to the long and complex structure of the male urethra, men may experience more pain than women during ureteral stent removal under local anesthesia. Our study found that the use of semirigid URS caused less pain than a rigid cystoscope. Flexible cystoscopes are not commonly used due to their high cost and durability issues, while semirigid URS presents a more cost-effective alternative. The single-center and small sample size of our study indicates the need for larger-scale studies. In conclusion, semirigid URS causes less pain compared to rigid cystoscopes in male patients and is better tolerated.
Keywords : lokal anestezi, stent çekimi, üreter taşı, VAS skoru

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