Stented versus nonstented ureteroileal anastomoses: is there a difference with regard to leak and stricture?

We reviewed the clinical histories of 362 patients (711 renal units) who had undergone ileal conduit diversion. Stents were used in 126 patients (247 renal units) and were not used in 236 (464 renal units). The stented group was divided further into 95 patients (186 renal units) with silicone single J stents and 31 (61 renal units) with some other type of stent. The over-all incidence of urine leakage was 1.7 per cent (6 of 362 patients). The over-all incidence of stricture was 3.9 per cent (11 without and 3 with stents). No leak occurred among the 126 patients in whom a stent was used. None of the 95 patients in whom silicone single J stents were used had stricture. If stents are to be used, we recommend silicone single J stents because of their satisfactory performance to date.