J M Pilcher1, U Patel. 1. Department of Radiology, St George's Hospital, London, UK. pimac@waitrose.com
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate a formula based on the patient's height for choosing the correct length of ureteric stent and to compare its accuracy with that of direct ureteric length measurement. METHODS: Thirty-five patients (41 ureters) with ureteric obstruction were prospectively studied. All received Percuflex 8F double pigtail ureteric stents. Stent lengths were chosen according to patient height: < 5 ft 10 in (<178 cm) = 22 cm; 5 ft 10 in to 6 ft 4 in (178-193 cm) = 24 cm; > 6 ft 4 in (>193 cm) = 26 cm. The final stent position was graded using a 5-point scale (0 representing ideal length, with -2 and +2 being too short and too long respectively). Stent length acceptability using direct ureteric measurement was then estimated using the same 5-point scale; and the results compared. RESULTS: Patient's height correctly predicted stent length in the majority of ureters (grade 0 = 61%), with no stent being too short. In comparison, direct ureteric measurement oversized the stent in 83%, correctly predicting stent length in only 17%. CONCLUSION: Patient's height is a more reliable guide to ureteric stent length than direct ureteric measurement, particularly in the dilated and tortuous ureter. This may be because the redundant ureter is capable of significant shortening under the influence of the ureteric stent. Copyright 2002 The Royal College of Radiologists.
AIM: To evaluate a formula based on the patient's height for choosing the correct length of ureteric stent and to compare its accuracy with that of direct ureteric length measurement. METHODS: Thirty-five patients (41 ureters) with ureteric obstruction were prospectively studied. All received Percuflex 8F double pigtail ureteric stents. Stent lengths were chosen according to patient height: < 5 ft 10 in (<178 cm) = 22 cm; 5 ft 10 in to 6 ft 4 in (178-193 cm) = 24 cm; > 6 ft 4 in (>193 cm) = 26 cm. The final stent position was graded using a 5-point scale (0 representing ideal length, with -2 and +2 being too short and too long respectively). Stent length acceptability using direct ureteric measurement was then estimated using the same 5-point scale; and the results compared. RESULTS:Patient's height correctly predicted stent length in the majority of ureters (grade 0 = 61%), with no stent being too short. In comparison, direct ureteric measurement oversized the stent in 83%, correctly predicting stent length in only 17%. CONCLUSION:Patient's height is a more reliable guide to ureteric stent length than direct ureteric measurement, particularly in the dilated and tortuous ureter. This may be because the redundant ureter is capable of significant shortening under the influence of the ureteric stent. Copyright 2002 The Royal College of Radiologists.
Authors: Sun Ju Lee; Changhee Yoo; Cheol Young Oh; Yong Seong Lee; Sung Tae Cho; Seong Ho Lee; Dae Yul Yang; Sang Kon Lee; Jin Seon Cho Journal: Korean J Urol Date: 2010-09-16