The Function Improved of the Newly Designed Magnetic-End Ureteric Stenting Retrieval Device: A Clinical Prospective Randomized and Control Trial in a Multicenter Study

Objective. To demonstrate the advantage of our newly designed magnetic ureteric stenting retrieval device over traditional nonmagnetic ureteric stents and other retrieval devices without cystoscopy intervention on clinical application and cost-related outcomes. Patients and Methods. A total of 333 patients were recruited into two study groups: magnetic-end ureteral stent (Group A) and conventional ureteral stent (Group B). The effects were evaluated by Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) scores, complications of the indwelling stent, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at stent removal, and cost-analysis outcomes between the magnetic ureteric stenting retrieval device and traditional double-J ureteral stent (DJUS) removed by cystoscopy. Results. The VAS of the pain score of patients undergoing magnetic stent removal with the retrieval device was 2 +/- 0.97, whereas that of patients undergoing conventional ureteral stent removal with cystoscopy was 5.76 +/- 1.53 (p<0.001). The removal of magnetic stents by a retrieval device proved to be less painful than cystoscopy-mediated stent removal (p<0.001). Obviously, the total cost for the magnetic stent removal was much lower than the conventional ureteral stent removal, although the magnetic stent costs more than the conventional ureteral stent. The improved magnetic stent used in our study showed a remarkable cost saving of 705/111 USD Chinese Yuan (CNY) per patient when compared with the conventional ureteral stent. Conclusion. We reported the integrated design features of the improved magnetic stent in the world, which was granted a patent in China. USSQ scores and rate of complications in the magnetic stent were as equally acceptable as a conventional stent. Furthermore, successful stent insertion rate reached 100% by both the antegrade and retrograde approaches, and no failure case of magnetic stent removal was reported in our study.