Bridging the knowledge gap: past, present and future of antibiotic use for ureteral stents

Objective

To evaluate the available literature on ureteric stent-related infections, the use of antibiotics and bacterial colonisation to identify the current incidence of stent-related infections, unveil knowledge gaps and generate potential hypotheses for future research.

Methods

A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane and urological association websites identifying relevant English literature published between 1983 and January 2024.

Results

There is a worldwide lack of guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis for stent placement, exchange or extraction. In patients with a negative preoperative urine culture undergoing ureteroscopy and stent placement, it may be considered to only provide prophylaxis in presence of risk factors. However, in pre-stented patients a preoperative urine culture is important to guide prophylaxis during endourological surgery. During stent indwell time, antibiotic prophylaxis does not show any advantage in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). There is no strong evidence to support the use of antibiotics at time of stent removal. In the absence of any clear evidence, management strategies for treating UTIs in patients with ureteric stents vary widely. Stent exchange could be considered to remove the biofilm as a potential source of bacteria. Stent culture can help to guide treatment during infection as urine culture and stent culture can differ.

Conclusion

In terms of good antibiotic stewardship, urologists should be aware that unnecessary use of antibiotics provokes bacterial resistance. There is a great need for further research in the field of antibiotic prophylaxis and stent-related infections to develop evidence that can help shape clear guidelines for this very common urological practice.