title: The self-expanding metallic ureteric stent in the long-term management of benign ureteric strictures.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Urology and Nephrology, University College, London, UK. manit_arya@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arya
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mostafid
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kellett
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Philp
mesh_terms: 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*