Introduction: Placing stents at the ureteroileal anastomosis for radical cystectomy with ileal conduit (RCIC) diversion has been common practice for the vast majority of urologists. Recently, the practice has been called into question, as some institutions have shifted to not stenting their ileal conduits for patient comfort and convenience. In this study, we aim to investigate the difference in 30-day outcomes between patients who did and did not receive ureteroileal stents after RCIC. Methods: RCs performed between 2019-2020 were identified in NSQIP and the corresponding cystectomy-targeted database. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and operative parameters were compared via Pearson’s chi-square and t-tests between stented and stent-less RCICs. Outcomes of interest included rates of urinary tract infections (UTIs), acute kidney injury (AKI), renal failure requiring dialysis, anastomotic leaks, ureteral obstruction, ureteral fistula formation, need for reoperation, and 30-day hospital readmissions. Outcomes were compared using Pearson’s chi-square. All statistical tests were two tailed, p<0.05 considered significant. Results: 3,865 RCICs were identified, of which 446 (11.5%) were stent-less. There was no difference in baseline demographics, comorbidities, or operative parameters between the stented and stent-less group, with the notable exceptions that significantly more stent-less patients had robotic-assisted instead of open RCs compared to the stented group (33% vs 21%, p<0.001), and significantly more stent-less patients were preoperatively on dialysis compared to the stented group (4.9% vs 0.5%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in 30-day rates of UTIs, AKIs, renal failure, anastomotic leaks, ureteral obstruction, ureteral fistula formation, need for reoperation, and readmissions between the stented and stent-less cohorts. Conclusions: Stent-less ileal conduits have recently emerged in popularity. This study represents the largest multi-institutional analysis comparing outcomes between traditionally stented and stent-less RCICs, and shows that there is no significant difference in outcomes. This study shows no difference in significant perioperative complications in patients without stents compared to those with stents. Therefore this needs to be investigated further given the overall cost, patient discomfort and concern for stent related infectious complications. SOURCE OF Funding: none
