Prednisone after ureteroscopy with stent to reduce postoperative pain

Evaluating The Role Of Corticosteroids In Post-Ureteroscopy Recovery For Urinary Calculi

Phase 4 Interventional Mayo Clinic · NCT07223580

This study will try a short course of prednisone after ureteroscopy with a ureteral stent to reduce postoperative pain in adults with kidney or ureteral stones.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsprednisone
Locations1 site (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Trial IDNCT07223580 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults undergoing ureteroscopy with placement of a ureteral stent for kidney or ureteral stones will be enrolled. Participants will receive either a short course of oral prednisone or a matching placebo in addition to standard postoperative pain medications. Pain scores and analgesic use will be tracked after surgery to compare postoperative pain control between groups. Key exclusions include chronic pain, chronic opioid use, current corticosteroid use, bilateral procedures, pregnancy, and insulin-dependent diabetes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) having ureteroscopy with ureteral stent placement who can give informed consent and are not on chronic opioids or current corticosteroids are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic pain conditions, long-term opioid use, current corticosteroid therapy, bilateral ureteroscopy, pregnancy, or insulin-dependent diabetes are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce postoperative pain and lower the need for opioid pain medicines after ureteroscopy.

How similar studies have performed: Perioperative corticosteroids have shown pain- and opioid-sparing effects in some other surgical settings, but evidence specifically for use after ureteroscopy with stent placement is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are diagnosed with kidney or ureteral stones confirmed on imaging (CT of the abdomen or pelvis) and who elect for definitive treatment via ureteroscopy with placement of ureteral stent.
* Age 18 years or older
* Patients of either gender
* Patients of all ethnic backgrounds
* Cable of giving informed consent
* Capable and willing to fulfill the requirements of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of chronic pain
* Chronic use of opioids or other pain medication (\>12 weeks)
* Known allergies to corticosteroids.
* Known or suspected pregnancy
* Inability to give informed consent or unable to meet requirements of the study for any reason.
* Bilateral ureteroscopy
* Current Corticosteroid Use
* Diabetic patients who are insulin dependent

Where this trial is running

Scottsdale, Arizona

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions UreteroscopyPost Operative Pain
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.