Insertion of a double pigtail ureteral stent for the prevention of urological complications in renal transplantation: a prospective randomized study.

Abstract

Urologists successfully use ureteral stents to protect the ureterovesical anastomosis in nontransplant patients. We determined the value of ureteral stents in transplant patients. The frequency of urological complications (leaks, obstructions and urinary tract infections) was compared in a prospective randomized series of 194 kidney transplantations (97 with and 97 without a double pigtail ureteral stent). In the stent group 1 patient had a urinary leak and 35 had urinary tract infections (including 2 cases of Corynebacterium cystitis). In the no stent group 6 patients had urinary leaks, 4 had obstructions and 32 had urinary tract infections. The 1-year patient and graft survival rates were similar in both groups, and renal function at 1 year was also similar (229 versus 208 mumol./l. creatinine in the stent and no stent groups, respectively). A small number of stent related complications occurred (2 stent breakages and 1 stent migration). No stones formed in any case. Ureteral stent insertion significantly decreases the rate of vesicoureteral leakage and obstruction in renal transplantation.