PROXIMAL URETERAL STENT MIGRATION - AN AVOIDABLE COMPLICATION

Purpose: The parameters responsible for proximal ureteral stent migrat ion were quantitated. Materials and Methods: We compared 16 patients s een between 1990 and 1993 with stent migration to 32 patients whose st ents did not migrate. Results: The stent indwelling time and number of stents with a proximal curl of less than 180 degrees were similar bet ween the groups. More patients with migration had stents that were sho rter than the ideal length, with a distal curl of less than 180 degree s and a proximal curl in the upper calix versus the renal pelvis. Conc lusions: A shorter than ideal stent, inadequate distal curl and a prox imal curl in the upper calix appear to be significant factors in the p rocess of stent migration.