Tri-layer ureteral stents, with anti-encrustation surface, offer improved comfort: results from an international stent registry.

A tri-layer ureteral stent with novel coating lining the inner and outer surfaces (Tria) was designed to reduce encrustation. We assessed technical success, complications, and patient symptoms in an international prospective stent registry conducted from 2020 to 2023. Outcomes included technical success, infections, and encrustation rates. Patient-reported PROMIS Pain Intensity (3a) and Pain Interference (6b) scores were obtained at time of index procedure, stent removal, and post-stent removal. Tria stents were compared to non-Tria stents grouped together. Of 359 total patients, 271 had a unilateral stent placed for stone management procedures. Tria vs. non-Tria groups were comparable in age (55.9y vs. 58.7y), gender (57.8% vs. 56.4% male), BMI (28.9 vs. 29.7 kg/m), and stent indwell times (11.8 vs. 9.9 days). Pain interference scores (p = 0.025) were lower in patients with Tria stents, and pain intensity scores approached significance (p = 0.052). Non-Tria patients reported significantly larger decreases from the week prior to stent removal to post-stent removal in both domains (p = 0.0245, p = 0.0216). Infection (Tria 1.9% vs. non-Tria 3.4%, p = 0.45) and encrustation rates (Tria 1.3% vs. non-Tria 0%, p = 0.36) were both low and non-significantly different. Patients with Tria stents were more comfortable than non-Tria stents in the week prior to stent removal and post-stent removal visits.