Adverse effects of ureteral stent and development of the antireflux ureteral stent

Abstract

The double J ureteral stent (D-J stent) represents the ureteral catheter widely used nowadays. The main purpose of the D-J stent is to resolve ureteral obstruction caused by intraureteral or extra-ureteral etiologies. Indications of D-J stents have been extended and it has become one of the most important surgical instruments that protect the kidney and ureter. The ideal D-J stent should be easy to insert and remove and should not cause any adverse effects in vivo. In addition, it has to function well. However, there has been no immaculate D-J stent because our body conceives the ureteral stent as a foreign object and numerous developments are being made in order to overcome it. Vesicoureteral reflux, one of the adverse effects of the D-J stent, is the most troublesome adverse effect because it may scar the renal parenchyma, leading to permanent deterioration of renal function. This review is to discuss adverse effects of ureteral stents and to present the novel antireflux D-J stent that may reduce vesicoureteral reflux.