Minimally invasive ureteral stent retrieval.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We developed a minimally invasive (noncystoscopic) method for retrieving ureteral stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent placement of a ureteral stent with a stainless steel bead attached to its distal end. The stent was later removed by a urethral catheter with a rare earth magnet attached to its proximal end. RESULTS: In 29 of the 30 patients the stent with the attached bead was removed without difficulty or patient discomfort. The single failure occurred in a patient with a large median prostate lobe. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive, nonendoscopic ureteral stent retrieval was achieved in 97% of patients. The attractive force of the magnet for the bead was sufficient to attract and extract the stent. No adverse effects of the procedure or the stainless steel bead were noted. This magnet retrieval system is a feasible, simpler and less invasive alternative to cystoscopic retrieval of ureteral stents.