A pilot study of a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid urethral stent combined with finasteride in the treatment of acute urinary retention from benign prostatic enlargement.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether patients with acute urinary retention from benign prostatic enlargement can be treated with a combined therapy comprising a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) urethral stent and finasteride.


METHODS
Eleven men in acute urinary retention were treated as outpatients; they had a suprapubic catheter inserted and the SR-PLLA stent placed cystoscopically. The patients were allowed to attempt to void spontaneously after 2 days.


RESULTS
All patients started to void spontaneously within 2 weeks. There was a steady improvement in urinary flow rates up to 9 months, followed by a slight impairment after the bioabsorption of the stent. During the mean (range) follow-up of 24 (23-26) months only three patients required surgical treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The bioabsorbable SR-PLLA stent combined with finasteride therapy provides a promising new alternative in the treatment of acute urinary retention, especially in patients unfit for surgical therapy. Larger, placebo-controlled studies are needed to establish the efficacy of this combined therapy.
Isotalo
T
T
Department of Surgery, Päijät-Häme, Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland.
Talja
M
M
Välimaa
T
T
Törmälä
P
P
Tammela
T L
TL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015607:Stents; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D018120:Finasteride