COMPARISON OF 4.8 FR AND 6 FR URETERAL STENTS ON STENT RELATED SYMPTOMS FOLLOWING URETERORENOSCOPY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To compare stent related symptoms of 4.8 French and 6 French DJ stents on validated Urdu version USSQ in our population

STUDY DESIGN

This investigation was carried out using a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

PLACE AND DURATION OF THE STUDY

The Urology Department of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, between March and July 2025

METHODOLOGY

A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was carried out in the Department of Urology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, between 2^nd Jan 2025 to 2^nd June 2025. Through consecutive non-probability sampling, 146 patients aged 15–80 years with unilateral ureteric stones planned for uncomplicated retrograde intrarenal surgery were included. By sealed- envelope lottery, they were evenly assigned to two groups of 73, receiving either a 4.8 Fr or 6 Fr stent. Symptom assessment was performed using the validated Urdu-USSQ, and categorical comparisons were analyzed with the Chi-square test in SPSS version 26.0 at a 5% significance level.

RESULTS

A total of 146 patients were randomized equally into two groups (73 each). The mean age was

44.90 ± 10.75 years in the 4.8 Fr group and 43.92 ± 12.11 years in the 6 Fr group, with males comprising 73.3% of the cohort. Patients with 6 Fr stents reported significantly higher urinary, pain, general health, work, sexual, and total USSQ scores compared to the 4.8 Fr group (all p<0.05) CONCLUSION

The trial showed that patients receiving 6 Fr stents experienced significantly greater urinary complaints, pain, poorer general health, and limitations in work and sexual activity compared to those with 4.8 Fr stents. These results indicate that using smaller-caliber stents in uncomplicated ureterorenoscopy can reduce postoperative morbidity and enhance patient quality of life, supporting their consideration as the preferred option in routine practice.