A single dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prevents severe pain after ureteric stent removal: a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of severe pain after ureteric stent removal. To evaluate the efficacy of a single dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in preventing this complication. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed at our institution. Adults with an indwelling ureteric stent after ureteroscopy were randomised to receive either a single dose of placebo or an NSAID (rofecoxib 50 mg) before ureteric stent removal. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) just before and 24 h after stent removal Pain medication use after ureteric stent removal was measured using morphine equivalents. RESULTS In all, 22 patients were enrolled and randomised into the study before ending the study after interim analysis showed significant decrease in pain level in the NSAID group. The most common indication for ureteroscopy was urolithiasis (14 patients). The proportion of patients with severe pain (VAS score of ≥7) during the 24 h after ureteric stent removal was six of 11 (55%) in the placebo group and it was zero of 10 in the NSAID group (P < 0.01). There were no complications related to the use of rofecoxib. CONCLUSIONS We found a 55% incidence of severe pain after ureteric stent removal. A single dose of a NSAID before stent removal prevents severe pain after ureteric stent removal.