Objectives: To minimize stent-related symptoms, the proximal part of the PolarisTM stent is composed of a firm material and its distal part is composed of a soft material.
The aim of this study was to compare stent-related symptoms of Polaris and Percuflex stents using and to assess the impacts of these stents on QoL.
Materials and Methods: 144 patients were randomized to a 'test' group (Polaris; n=64) or a 'conventional' group (Percuflex; n=80) at the time of ureteral stent insertion after ureteroscopic stone removal surgery. Stents were allocated using a randomization program. At 1 week postoperatively, patient's symptoms were evaluated using the USSQ and patients were asked complete a 10cm VAS. Mean scores for USSQ domains and mean VAS scores were compared.
Results: Mean patient age was 50.3 years and the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.85. No significant intergroup differences were found in the domain scores of; urinary symptoms(p=0.58), pain(p=0.87), general health(p=0.20), work(p=0.24), sexual activity(p=0.64), or additional problems(p=0.24). In addition, VAS scores were non-significantly different(p=0.11). However, analysis of USSQ item scores revealed the test group had better results for 'presence of pain', 'frequency of pain killer use', 'difficulties with respect to hard physical activity', 'fatigue', 'frequency of rest', 'stent-related impact on work' 'antibiotics use', and 'outpatient department visits' than the conventional group.
Conclusion: As compared with the conventional Percuflex ureteral stent, the new Polaris ureteral stent with a soft tail was not found to offer significant advantages in terms of voiding symptoms, pain, general health, sexual matters, or additional problems as determined by the USSQ or in VAS determined pain. However, sub-analysis showed that the Polaris has some advantages with respect to pain, physical activities, impact on work, and additional problems. Accordingly, the soft tipped Polaris stent was found to have some clinical advantages over the conventional Percuflex stent.
Written by:
Park HK, Paick SH, Kim HG, Lho YS, Bae S. Are you the author?
Konkuk University, School of Medicine, Urology, Seoul, Korea, Republic of.
Reference: J Endourol. 2014 Aug 25. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1089/end.2014.0294
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25153249
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