Ureteral Stone

A prospective, non-blinded, randomized controlled trial studying the management of symptomatic ureteral stones. This study will compare upfront ureteroscopy vs observation and delayed intervention for patients presenting to the emergency department with a symptomatic ureteral stone.

Ureteroscopic management of proximal ureteral stones presents technical challenges including stone retropulsion, prolonged operative time, and conversion to intrarenal treatment. Reverse Trendelenburg positioning has been shown to reduce proximal stone migration and operative time in ureteral stones, while the T-tilt position improves intrarenal stone clearance. The optimal strategy for proximal ureteral stones (treating stones in situ using reverse Trendelenburg versus pushing stones into the kidney followed by intrarenal treatment in T-tilt) remains unknown. This randomized controlled trial compares these two strategies, with primary focus on operative time as a measure of procedural efficiency. A total of 54 patients (27 per arm) will be enrolled at Mount Sinai West.

The study is being completed to compare patient reported outcomes for stent omission vs. placement after using a ureteral access sheath for uncomplicated ureteroscopy. Participants that consent for the study will complete baseline PRO questionnaires. A UAS will be used during surgery, and the size left to the discretion of the surgeon. At the end of the procedure, the urologist will evaluate the ureter for iatrogenic injury, and the ureter will be graded using the Post Ureteroscopic Lesion Scale (PULS). Patients assessed with PULS 0 and PULS 1 will meet 2nd stage eligibility and will be randomized 1:1 to either stent omission or stent placement. When a stent is placed, the stent type and decision to leave a string (tether) will be at the operating urologist's discretion. Hypothesis: \- stent omission arm will be non-inferior to stent placement in Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference and Pain Intensity, and have lower 30-day healthcare utilization.