References
Living with ureteric stents: a phenomenological study
Abstract
Background:
patients with ureteric stents (JJ stents) have reported symptoms such as voiding dysfunction, incontinence, depression and sexual dysfunction, which have impacted on their quality of life, since the procedure was first described by Zimskind in 1967.
Aim:
the aim of this study was to enhance understanding of the lived experience of having a ureteric stent.
Method:
the research design used was hermeneutic interpretive phenomenology, underpinned by Heidegger's interpretive phenomenology.
Findings:
this phenomenological study found that ureteric stents have an impact on patients' quality of life. The five themes that emerged were: disruption to activities of daily life, burden on my physical body, burden on my mind, influence of time and influence of others.
Conclusion:
urological nurses can enhance the patient's experience of living with a ureteric stent by educating patients regarding stent symptoms and management, giving psychological support and advocating for the patient with adverse stent-related symptoms.
The development of ureteric stents to relieve ureteric obstruction secondary to renal stones, renal masses or congenital abnormalities revolutionised urological interventions in the late 1960s (Finney, 1982). Ureteric stents, also referred to as ‘JJ’ stents or ‘double J’ stents, can have a negative impact on patient's lives, causing symptoms such as frequency, dysuria, nocturia, decreased libido, infection and depression (Joshi et al, 2002; Bosio et al, 2017). This phenomenon has been studied since 1967 when the long-term indwelling ureteral splint inserted cystoscopically was described by PD Zimskind (Zimskind et al, 1967). Shalaby et al (2013) noted that symptoms in patients with ureteral stents are inevitable and approximately 80% of patients with ureteral stents report adverse symptoms, which can vary in intensity. Numerous studies concurred with Shalaby et al (2013) on the benefit of alpha blockers and antimuscarinics for relief of ureteric stent-related symptoms (Dellis et al, 2014; Abdelaal et al, 2016; Hekal, 2016). The European Association of Urology urolithiasis guidelines advocate the use of alpha blockers in ureteric stent symptom management (Türk et al, 2019). Despite these recommendations patients with ureteric stents continue to experience quality of life issues while living with stents.
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