Comparison of outcomes between 2 week versus 4 week stenting in pediatric pyeloplasty—A single centre observational study

Abstract

Objective To compare the surgical outcomes, improvement in renal function and complications between early stent removal (2 weeks) and late stent removal (4 weeks) after pediatric open pyeloplasty. Methods A total of 72 open pyeloplasty were included in the study. Forty-three underwent late stent removal (Group 1) and 29 underwent early stent removal (Group 2). Pre-operative and post-operative follow-up data were compared to see the effect of early stent removal on the postoperative drainage pattern at 6 months after surgery and improvement in split function of affected kidney. The complications between the two groups were also compared. Results Both the groups were matched with respect to age, sex, side and antero-posterior diameter of pelvis. Pre-operative mean split function in Group 1 was 42% (26%–54%) while it was 39% (19%–42%) in Group 2 ( p =0.37). Postoperative improvement in drainage pattern was seen in 69 out of 72 (96%) patients, 41 out of 43 (95%) in Group 1 and 28 out of 29 (97%) in Group 2. Improvement in split function occurred in 35 of 38 (97%) in Group 1 and 23 of 26 (88%) patients in Group 2 ( p =0.51). Complications were seen in nine out of 72 (12.5%) patients. Incidence of complication in Group 1 was 16% (7/43) and Group 2 was 7% (2/29), and relative risk was 2.36. Conclusion A shorter duration of double J stenting is as effective as a longer stenting period in terms of surgical success outcomes and improvement in split renal function along with a decreased risk of stent related complications.