==Academic Research ==
Research at University of Minnesota about symptoms and pain associated with ureteral stent
[[Research Team]]
'''Background and Purpose'''
*Ureteral stents are associated with significant pain and urinary symptoms.
*Manufacturers have altered stent designs and materials in an attempt to minimize this morbidity.
*This study evaluated the impact of these modifications.
'''Patients and Methods'''
*Stent manufacturers were asked to provide the 6F ureteral stent they believed would be associated with the least patient discomfort.
*Patients undergoing uncomplicated ureteroscopy were randomized to the Bard Inlay, Cook Endo-Sof, Microvasive Contour, Applied Medical Vertex, or Surgitek Classic Double-Pigtail stent.
*The Ureteric Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) was administered on days 1, 3, and 5, and the patients maintained a narcotic diary. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and nonparametric methods.
'''Results'''
*A total of 44 patients (73%) completed all USSQ questionnaires.
*Urinary symptom scores were significantly lower for the Inlay stent on day 3 than for the Vertex (P = 0.01), Contour (P = 0.05), Endo-Sof (P = 0.03), and Classic (P = 0.02) stents. No significant differences were noted in pain and general symptom scores or narcotic use.
'''Conclusion'''
*'''The Bard Inlay stent is associated with less-severe urinary symptoms than other ureteral stents.'''
*The USSQ is a sensitive tool to measure differences between stents.
The complete USSQ form is available at [http://www.bui.ac.uk/ BUI] and [http://www.endourology.org/ endourology].
Source [http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/end.2005.19.990?journalCode=end University of Minnesota]
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