Abstract
Introduction: This study aims to assess and enhance the application value of ureteral stents in the adjunctive treatment of renal tuberculosis, thus providing a robust evidence-based framework for guiding clinical management strategies. Methods: A total of 360 patients diagnosed with renal tuberculosis between January 2019 and December 2023 were meticulously selected for this study. Utilizing a random number table, the patients were stratified into a control group and a study group, with 180 patients in each cohort. The control group received standard antituberculosis treatment, while the study group underwent adjunctive treatment with ureteral stents. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the differential clinical efficacy, renal excision rate, renal function, degree of renal pelvis separation, and renal parenchymal thickness between the two groups. Results: The study group showed significantly better clinical cure rates and effectiveness compared to the control group. While the 12-month renal excision rate was similar between groups, the 18-month rate was significantly lower in the study group. The study group also had lower posttreatment BUN and serum creatinine levels, reduced renal pelvis separation, and greater renal parenchymal thickness. At 3 and 9 months, complications were significantly fewer in the study group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05), with no severe complications reported. Additionally, the study group had higher overall SF-36 scores (p < 0.001), indicating better quality of life. The treatment success rate (87.2% vs. 70.6%, p < 0.001), renal function preservation (76.7% vs. 60.6%, p = 0.001), and lower recurrence rate (16.1% vs. 26.1%, p = 0.028) further highlighted the benefits of ureteral stenting. Conclusion: The adjunctive use of ureteral stents in the treatment of renal tuberculosis presents a significantly enhanced application value. It not only improves clinical efficacy but also diminishes the need for renal excision, effectively preserves renal function, reduces the degree of renal pelvis separation, and maintains optimal renal parenchymal thickness. Thus, advocating for the widespread implementation of ureteral stents as an adjunctive therapeutic modality for managing renal tuberculosis is strongly recommended.
