A new treatment for urethral strictures: a permanently implanted urethral stent.
We describe a new urethral stent, originally developed for endovascular use, that we have implanted into 8 patients with urethral strictures. The stent is woven in the form of a tubular mesh from surgical grade stainless steel wire and is self-expanding when released from its small diameter delivery catheter. All patients have been treated successfully with a good caliber urethra visible on urethrography and direct endoscopy, and with improved urine flow rates. Mean followup of these patients is 8 months (range 6 months to 1 year). Urethroscopy had demonstrated complete epithelial covering of the implant at 4 to 6 months. Although the followup is short it seems that this simple technique may offer a lasting treatment for many urethral strictures.
Milroy
E J
EJ
Department of Urology, Middlesex Hospital, London, England.
Chapple
C
C
Eldin
A
A
Wallsten
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013997:Time Factors; D014521:Urethra; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000628:therapy*
D013193:Stainless Steel