Endourologic Management of a 15-Year-Old Neglected, Fragmented, and Encrusted Ureteral Stent

Background: Ureteral stents (Double-J stents) have been widely used in urology to prevent or relieve ureteral obstruction and have become an integral part of urologic practice. However, if ureteral stents are kept for a prolonged period or neglected, they can cause significant morbidity because of complications such as stent migration, encrustation, occlusion, stone formation, and fragmentation. Therefore, it is crucial to remove stents as soon as possible after they have served their purpose, to prevent complications and morbidity. Case Presentation: In this study, we present a case of a 28-year-old man who presented with broken extensively encrusted Double-J stent, with bulky stones at both ends of the stents that had been inserted 15 years ago, after an open right pyelolithotomy, and that was lost to follow-up. Cystolithotripsy, ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy, and two consecutive mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomies were necessary to extract the stent and the patient became stone free. Conclusion: Forgotten Double-J stents for long times with extensive encrustation and stone formation can be managed safely with a combined endourologic approach with minimal morbidity.