Antegrade retrieval of ureteral stents through an 8-French percutaneous nephrostomy route

Technical feasibility and safety of the alternative snare technique using a 0.018-inch guide wire and 5-French catheter for double-J ureteral stent removal

To evaluate the technical feasibility of the alternative snare technique using a 0.018-inch guide wire and 5-French (Fr) catheter for double-J ureteral stent (DJUS) removal. In this retrospective study, 11 DJUS were removed in 9 consecutive patients between July 2023 and October 2023. We evaluated patient characteristics, DJUS characteristics, and procedure characteristics. Out of 11 cases, 8 (72.7%) were successful in removing the DJUS using the alternative snare technique without major complications. The average time between DJUS insertion and removal was 47.4 ± 50.0 days. The most common DJUS size was an 8-Fr, with proximal tips predominantly in the proximal ureter and renal pelvis. The mean procedure time for successful cases was 15.2 ± 16.8 minutes. Three failed cases, attributed to obstructions like debris, were later successfully addressed using the ALN inferior vena cava filter removal kit, forceps, and modified snare technique. The alternative snare technique using a 0.018-inch guidewire and Fr catheter is safe and effective in cases of DJUS removal.

Implementation of Supine Percutaneous Nephroscopic Surgery to Remove an Upward Migration of Ureteral Catheter in Infancy: A Case Report

Background

Double-J stents are favorably utilized after pyeloplasty. In rare situations, the stent may migrate upward. Here, we demonstrate the implementation and result of a supine percutaneous nephroscopic surgery (PNS) to retrieve a proximately migrated ureteral catheter in a pediatric patient.

Patient and Methods

A 1-year-old boy was suffering from an upward migration of a ureteric catheter into the right ureter after an open Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty. The child was placed in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia (GMSV) position and a PNS procedure was performed. The calyceal access was carefully punctured by ultrasonographic guidance. The nephrostomy tract was dilated with a metal dilator using a one-step technique. An exploratory nephroscopy of the renal pelvis was conducted with a 12Fr miniature nephroscope and the migrated ureteral catheter was removed. A hybrid guidewire was retrogradely inserted into the ureteric orifice using a rigid ureteroscope. An antegrade double J stent was inserted in the proper position and a percutaneous nephrostomy was performed.

Results and Conclusion

This is the first report of a successfully removed upwardly migrated ureteral catheter with concurrent insertion of an antegrade double J stent by supine PNS in the GMSV position in an infant. The patient recovered well after surgery with no adverse event, demonstrating that this operation can be carried out safely on pediatric patients.

Clinical Utility of the Modified Snare Technique for Percutaneous Antegrade Removal of Double J Ureteral Stents

Although a snare is the commonly used device for antegrade double J (DJ) stent removal, there are some cases in which DJ stent removal using only a snare is particularly difficult. In the present study, an unfavorable positioning of the proximal DJ stent tip and tip embeddedness were significantly associated with a simple snare technique failure; thus, present the modified snare technique to overcome the simple snare technique failure. By applying these 2 techniques together, we can increase the overall technical success rate up to 97% (196/202). The modified snare technique is safe and effective in cases of simple snare technique failure.

Urinary Drainage Procedures in Interventional Radiology

Urinary drainage procedures are used to treat a wide range of clinical situations including pyonephrosis, preservation of renal function in patients with ureteral obstruction, as a means to access the collecting system for stone retrieval or lithotripsy and to divert urine from a distal leak or fistula. Several different drainage devices are available and include those that provide obligatory external drainage (nephrostomy), both internal and external drainage (nephroureteral stent) and internal drainage (double-J stent). Each device requires some maintenance and effort on the patient's part-from having to undergo routine exchange of double-J stents every 3-6 months to the daily management of an external catheter and drainage bag. Ideally, the desired outcome can be attained with minimal effect on patient lifestyle. In this article, we present our approach to patients who require urinary drainage, with a focus on choosing and placing the most appropriate device in a variety of clinical scenarios.

Percutaneous Antegrade Removal of Encrusted Broken Double J Ureteric Stent Using a Snare

Percutaneous removal of partially encrusted broken double J ureteric stent from the renal pelvis using a snare is described. The patient is a 60-year old female, with a known case of hyperparathyroidism with double J ureteric stent placed one year earlier. Removal of the double J stent was attempted by cystoscopy but a loop of the stent was broken in the renal pelvis due to partial encrustation. Several unique aspects and technical challenges were encountered in this case including lack of pre-existing nephrostomy access in addition to a broken, partially encrusted stent which was near multiple renal stones and a newly-placed fully-functioning double J stent. The techniques to overcome those challenges are described. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful percutaneous removal of a broken encrusted double J stent by snare in the presence of such technical challenges.