Use of double-J stents prior to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is not beneficial: results of a prospective randomized study.

Objectives: Since introduction of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in treating patients with urinary tract stones in our clinic for the first time in our city Aden 5 years ago, we stented all patients with kidney stone >1 cm routinely before the procedure. Our aim of this study is to compare symptoms and complications of patients with and without stenting.

Patients And Methods: In 2003, 120 patients with renal stone(s) amenable to ESWL management were prospectively treated in two groups: stented (60 patients) and unstented (60 patients).