Role of ureteric stents in relieving obstruction in patients with obstructive uropathy.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of ureteric stents in relieving obstruction and improvement of kidney function in patients with obstructive uropathy. Materials and Methods: This study involved 138 patients with obstructive uropathy with age ranged from 2 months to 73 years. Patients classified into two groups: Group (I): Includes 57 patients (41.3%), ureteric stents fixed to them; and Group (II): Includes 81 patients (58.6%) managed by other treatment modalities. All patients underwent clinical assessment, Laboratory and radiologic investigations: At presentation and postoperative. These included: Complete urine analysis, urine culture and sensitivity, serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, serum sodium (Na), serum potassium (K), Fasting blood glucose level and blood picture and plain X-ray (KUB), abdominal ultrasonography (US), diuretic renography and retrograde pyelography. Results: Renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was used as an indicator for improvement of renal function after fixation of ureteric stent. In group I: 56 (71.8%) kidneys showed significant recovery compared to 61 kidneys (66.3%). In group II, there is statistically significant relation between renal perfusion and renal recovery ( P P P P Conclusion: The predictors of renal recoverability revealed that ureteral stents alone can help in regaining renal function and significant improvement of clinical condition in patients with obstructive uropathy.