An Innovative Technique: Ureteral Stent Removal by Vaginal Examination

BACKGROUND:
Finding manual skills for special circumstances would be important both for the urologist and the patient. In this study a simple technique was examined to facilitate the removal of ureteral stent by vaginal examination in some female patients under special condition.

METHODS:
Overall, 32 female patients (37 ureteral stent) underwent Stent Removal by Vaginal (SVR) examination technique. The patient was positioned in lithotomic position and was asked to keep her bladder semi-full. The ureteral stent in the ureteral orifice was touched by the index finger between the anterior vaginal wall and the bladder trigone; then the grasping forceps held by the other hand entered the bladder through the urethra to reach the end of the stent and pull it gently and completely.

FINDINGS:
The technique was done successfully in stents. No significant side effect was observed after using SRV technique, but gross hematuria was seen in eight patients (23%).

CONCLUSION:
S.R.V. technique is a simple and effective procedure that dose not require additional equipments or personnel. was more useful in elderly women with atrophic vaginitis and without cystocele.

KEY WORDS:
Ureteral stent, vaginal examination, cystocele