Trends and incidence of reported events associated with ureteral stents: an analysis of the food and drug administration's manufacturer and user facility device experience (MAUDE) database

Purpose Aim of this study is to summarize medical device reports (MDRs) between 2012 and 2022 relating to ureteral stents within the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database maintained by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Methods MAUDE was analyzed for all MDRs relating to each FDA-approved ureteral stent. Event descriptions were reviewed and characterized into specific event types. Outcome measures include specific ureteral stent and reported events as detailed by the MDRs. Data is presented as number of specific event/total events. Pooled Relative risk was used to compare data. Results 2652 reports were retrieved in 10 years and a progressive rise in reported events was recorded. 831/2652 (31%) were reported as injury while 1810/2652 (68%) as malfunction of the ureteral stent and 4 events of death. The most frequently reported adverse events (AEs) were stent break (627/2652: 23%); material problems (384/2652: 14%); calcification (222/2652: 8%); difficulty to insert, advance or remove the device (155/2652: 6%). Bard stents were associated with most material problems (19%), Resonance stents were associated with most difficulty to insert, advance or remove the device (9%) and calcification (15%) while filiform double pigtail stent set were associated with most breakage reports (56%) when compared to the other stents (PRR > 1, p < 0,05). Conclusions According to MAUDE database the most frequent complications related to ureteral stents are breakage, material problems, calcification and difficulty to insert/advance/remove the device. As well Resonance ureteral stents seem to be associated with a higher risk of device problems.