Antegrade Percutaneous Retrieval of Upward Migrated Double-J Stent in Very Small Size Pediatric Patients Under Ultrasonic Guide

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of antegrade percutaneous retrieval migrated ureteral stent in very small size pediatric patients with ultramini instruments under ultrasonography guide.Materials and Methods: A total number of 10 out of 115 patients who were referred to our center with upward migrated Double-J (DJ) were candidates for antegrade approach from 2017 to 2020. The pyelocalyceal system was punctured in a prone position by using an 18-gauge disposable needle with Chiba tip and visualization of the upper tract by 3.5 MHz ultrasonic guidance. Then 0.038-inch J tipped guide wire was passed through the needle and the tract was dilated up to 6F under ultrasonographic guide. The 8F access sheath was positioned over the 6F dilator. The semirigid 6F ureteroscope was introduced through the sheath and DJ was removed with a grasper.Results: The mean age was 11.4 +/- 5.48 months. The mean time from the previous surgery to DJ removal procedure was 6.4 +/- 0.84 weeks. The mean operation time was 11.7 +/- 1.76 minutes. All the patients were discharged from the hospital within the 1st day. There were no serious complications (grade 3, 4, or 5) according to Clavien-Dindo classification.Conclusion: The antegrade retrieval of upward migrated DJ with ultramini instrument under ultrasonographic guidance in failed cases of retrograde approach is a safe and effective approach in very small size pediatric patients.