633 A MULTI-CENTRE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY TO COMPARE THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT URETERAL STENT LENGTHS ON PATIENTS' QUALITY OF LIFE USING A VALIDATED QUESTIONNAIRE

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Insertion of ureteral stent is a common urological procedure in both elective and emergency settings. However, indwelling ureteral stent is often associated with significant pain and urinary symptoms. One suggested factor for this is bladder irritation secondary to a long redundant distal end of ureteral stent. The objective of this study is to compare the impact of multilength 30cm and single length 24cm ureteral stents on patients’ quality of life. METHODS: 162 patients with upper urinary tract calculi requiring ureteral stent insertion were randomized into group 1 (6Fr x 24cm, ContourTM) or group 2 (6Fr x 22–30cm, Contour VLTM). Both stents were different in length but were otherwise identical and manufactured by the same company. Patients were requested to complete the validated Bristol ureteric stent symptom questionnaire (USSQ) at 1 and 4 weeks after stent insertion and 4 weeks after removal. Mean scores for each domain of the USSQ in both groups were compared using 2-tailed unpaired t test. Any adverse events such as stent migration, early removal of stent due to stent-related symptoms and failure of stent insertion were also recorded. RESULTS: 153 patients who had successful ureteral stent insertion were requested to complete the USSQ. The response rate was 74% (62 and 51 patients in group 1 and 2 respectively). There were no significant difference in both groups in terms of age (p 0.47) or sex (p 0.22). At 1 and 4 weeks with the stent in situ, comparison of the mean domain scores demonstrated no significant difference in urinary symptoms (p 0.42 and p 0.19), pain (p 0.84 and p 0.39) and general health (p 0.48 and p 0.98). This is also similar for work performance (p 0.87 and p 0.78), sexual dysfunction (p 0.71 and p 0.41) and number of days patients stayed in bed (p 0.11 and 0.65) or reduced their routine activities (p 0.10and p 0.63). There were 3 (2%) patients who had stent removed earlier due to severe stentrelated symptoms (all from group 1) and 5 (3%) patients with failed stent insertion. There was no ureteral stent migration noted in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, there is no difference in the impact on quality of life in patients who had either a multi-length or 24cm Contour ureteral stent.