Ureteral stents and nephrostomy tubes have been used extensively in urology. Attendant to their use are their associated morbidities, such as pain, infection, and encrustation. We review the literature on the subject of the encrusted stents and drainage catheters, discuss the risk factors for encrustation, and describe the endourologic evaluation and management of these encrusted and retained u...

Although recently the minimal invasive urological and endourological methods have been substantially improved, concerns remain about the optimal management of proximal ureteral stones. Even the Euro-pean Association of Urology Guidelines are not fully clear and leave the choice of treatment method to the urologist's discretion. Both extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy ...

Objective Complex ureteral obstruction is refractory to conventional urological intervention. This report describes a case of laparoscopic ureterolysis with simultaneous ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephroscopy for treating complex ureteral obstruction. Methods Right-side multiple ureteral stones and complicating ureteral obstruction failed an initial attempt of ureteroscopy lithotripsy with...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We compared ureteral anastomosis using a laser and intraluminal albumin stent with both conventional suturing and laser soldering techniques. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve pigs underwent bilateral ureteral anastomoses (N = 24) using one of the three anastomotic methods: (1) laser welding with intraluminal albumin stent (N = 11); (2) with albumin solder (N...

A 50-year old woman was admitted to emergency room due to an episode of recurrent renal colic. Double-J ureteral stent has been placed several weeks earlier due to mild hydronephrosis of the left kidney. She had a history of urinary tract infections and poorly defined abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed normal left kidney and normal left urinary tract without calcul...

Arterio-ureteral fistulae are abnormal connections between an artery and the ureter and carry a high mortality. We present two cases of arterio-ureteral fistulae that presented with life-threatening hematuria. Both patients were treated with endovascular covered stent placement.

We report the first case of totally tubeless outpatient percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Our patient was discharged home safely less than 4 hours following uncomplicated PCNL with no nephrostomy tube, ureteral stent, or urethral catheter. Follow-up the next day in clinic confirmed that the procedure was successful, as the patient was clinically well and stone free. To our knowledge, this is...

BACKGROUND Approximately 12% of all ureteral stents placed are retained or "forgotten." Forgotten stents are associated with significant safety concerns as well as increased costs and legal issues. Retained ureteral stents (RUS) often occur due to lack of clinical follow-up, communication or language barriers, and economic concerns. METHODS We describe a multiplatform application that facilit...

Double-J ureteral stent insertion is a common urological procedure performed for the relief of ureteral obstruction or as a part of other endourological procedures. Several complications have been reported in the past. A case of a 62-year-old woman who was stented due to hydronephrosis of her solitary functioning left kidney and had renal perforation and retroperitoneal hematoma formation is pr...