A bioresorbable urethral stent. An experimental study.
The aim of the present study was to examine the suitability of biodegradable polymers as materials for a urethral stent. A new urethral stent made of biodegradable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide (SR-PLLA) was implanted in 16 male rabbits after urethrotomy. Seven stents of stainless steel served as controls. The dimensions of the two types of stents were identical: length 15 mm, diameter 8.2 mm. The mechanical construction was a helical spiral. The SR-PLLA spiral was sustained with three microspirals, and the whole device was coated with DL-lactide to achieve an active initial tissue reaction and better tissue penetration. The SR-PLLA stent showed more favourable implantation properties than the steel one. Within 6 months all PLLA stents had implanted, and the tissue reaction around the stent material was minimal. The helical spiral of stainless steel induced a remarkable inflammatory reaction due to poor implantation properties. We suggest that biodegradable SR-PLLA is a promising material for a urethral stent to prevent re-stenosis of urethral strictures.
Kemppainen
E
E
Urological Clinic, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Talja
M
M
Riihelä
M
M
Pohjonen
T
T
Törmälä
P
P
Alfthan
O
O
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004724:Endoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D008297:Male; D011091:Polyesters; D011817:Rabbits; D013193:Stainless Steel; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014521:Urethra / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D011091:Polyesters; D013193:Stainless Steel; C033616:poly(lactide)