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The intriguing design of the JJ stent: Why is the double J shape so important?
A urethral stent (also called an intraurethral stent) is a thin tube inserted into the urethra to prevent or treat blockage of urine flow from the kidneys. The design of this stent not only considers the needs of communication and health, but also pays attention to the patient's quality of life. Among them, the double J shape (JJ stent) is particularly important because it makes full use of the advantages of human anatomy to improve the function and safety of the stent.
Principles and advantages of the double J shape
Urethral stents are usually designed to be about 24 to 30 centimeters long and come in different diameters to accommodate different sized urethras. Double J-shaped stents usually have one or both ends rolled up, which allows the stent to remain in the urethra and reduce the risk of displacement. This shape has several significant advantages:
The JJ-shaped design effectively prevents the stent from moving in the urethra, ensuring continued support for kidneys that cannot urinate normally.
Stent placement and indications
Urethral stents are usually inserted with the assistance of a cystoscope to ensure patency of the urethra. The application scenarios of stents include kidney stone obstruction, tumor compression, etc. Especially in cases where the kidney has been damaged by a blockage, a stent can be used as a temporary measure until it is time for surgery later.
In some cases, the stent needs to remain in the body for more than 12 months, especially if there is ongoing compression from the tumor. At this time, the double J-shaped stent can ensure continuous drainage of the urethra and reduce the risk of urine reflux and kidney damage.
Data show that if the urethra is blocked for a period of time, it may cause kidney damage, so it is particularly important to use stents for drainage regularly.
Contraindications and risks of stents
Although the double J bracket is powerful, it also has some potential risks. For example, stents may cause reflux of urine, increasing the risk of urinary tract infection. Therefore, when considering stent placement, the patient's specific circumstances must be carefully evaluated, especially in patients with urinary tract infections or other obstructive conditions.
The main danger of reflux is that it may lead to pyelitis, which can lead to life-threatening uremia.
Common side effects and complications
The most common complications of double-J stents include dislocation, infection, and obstruction due to crystallization. Recently, stents with anti-infection coatings have been approved for marketing. These improvements help reduce the risk of infection and crystallization and reduce the frequency of stent replacement. Patients may experience varying degrees of discomfort during the stent period, such as urinary urgency and increased urination frequency. Most of these side effects will disappear quickly after the stent is removed.
Stent removal process
Removal of the stent usually does not cause major discomfort, especially the stent with a special wire, and the patient can even pull it out on his own in a few seconds. For stents without wires, the doctor needs to use a cystoscope to remove them, which usually only takes a few minutes. If a magnetic extraction system is used, the process will be simpler and does not require anesthesia, and its practicality among all age groups will gradually increase.
Today, with the advancement of technology, the double-J stent plays an increasingly important role in urinary tract health. It not only enhances the functionality of the urethra, but also improves the patient's quality of life to some extent. In the future, how should we view the widespread use of such medical devices in daily medical care and the ethical considerations it triggers?
