Effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in double J stent removal

Background: Celecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) inhibitor that can reduce the inflammatory process during double J (DJ) stent removal procedure. This study aimed to determine the differences in pain levels in patients undergoing DJ stent removal under local anesthesia by oral administration of celecoxib before the procedure. Materials and methods: A total of 46 male patients who underwent removal of DJ stent under local anesthesia from December 2019 to February 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to oral administration of celecoxib 3 hours before the procedure. The visual analog scale (VAS) and side effects were compared between the two groups. Results: The mean patient age was 50.26 ±14.92 years in the group without celecoxib and 50.35 ±15.61 years in the group with celecoxib. The mean intraoperative VAS score was significantly higher in the group without celecoxib (6.87 ± 1.51) than that in the group with celecoxib (3.74 ± 1.65) (p=0.04). The VAS scores on the first day after the procedure were 2.08 ±0.79 and 1.34 ± 0.98 in the groups without and with celecoxib, respectively (p=0.53). Only 1 patient had nausea as side effect of celecoxib. Conclusion: Celecoxib can reduce pain during DJ stent removal.