Stented Versus Stentless Laparoscopic Ureterolithotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review and meta-analysis were designed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of stented versus stentless laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (LU).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis that included six trials that investigated the outcomes, including the rate of prolonged urine leakage, operative time, time to drain removal, and estimated blood loss, between stented versus stentless LU.

RESULTS

Four studies with 289 participants were included in the study. There was no significant difference between two groups in rate of prolonged urine leakage (odds ratios [OR] 0.35, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.09-1.46, p = 0.15). Significant longer operative time was detected in patients who underwent stented LU compared with stentless group (mean difference 11.36, 95% CI 7.53-15.20, P < .00001). There was no significant difference between two groups in day of drain removal (mean difference -1.09, 95% CI -2.33-0.15, P = .08). No significant difference in blood loss in patients who underwent stented LU compared with stentless group was detected (mean difference 7.67, 95% CI -0.29-15.64, P = .06).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that the rate of prolonged urine leakage, time to drain removal, and estimated blood loss were not significantly different between stented and stentless LU.