The self-expanding metallic ureteric stent in the long-term management of benign ureteric strictures.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and assess the long-term complications of using the thermo-expandable, nickel-titanium alloy stent (Memokath 051, Engineers & Doctors A/S, Hornbaek, Denmark) for managing benign ureteric strictures.


METHODS
Over a 3-year period, 13 Memokath stents were inserted in 11 patients (mean age 58 years, range 35-85) with 12 lower ureteric strictures. The cause of the stricture was benign in all cases, i.e. radiation fibrosis in three, retroperitoneal fibrosis, ischaemic uretero-ileal anastomosis and scarring after ureteroscopy in two each, and diathermy damage, extraluminal endometriosis and stone passage in one each. Four stents were 9 F with proximal expansion to 17 F and the other nine used were 10.5 F with proximal expansion to 20 F. The patients were followed for a mean (range) of 18 (1.5-33) months.


RESULTS
No complications or side-effects occurred with nine stents; four stents were removed at a mean (range) of 16.3 (4-33) months. Three of these had become encrusted, two of which had been placed in patients who had either a history of stone disease or recurrent urinary tract infection. The other stent had migrated.


CONCLUSIONS
The Memokath stent appears to have a useful role in managing benign ureteric strictures, but it must be closely monitored in patients who are predisposed to encrustation.
Arya
M
M
Institute of Urology and Nephrology, University College, London, UK. manit_arya@hotmail.com
Mostafid
H
H
Patel
H R
HR
Kellett
M J
MJ
Philp
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004106:Dilatation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*