Experience with urethral stent explantation.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the timing, causes and results of the explantation of UroLume (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) urethral stents.


METHODS
The North American Study Group enrolled 465 patients in a trial of UroLume stent placement, including 69 (14.8% of the series) who required removal of a total of 73 stents (15.6% of stents) in 7 years. The time of explantation, reason for stent removal and local histological findings were determined from patient charts and reviewed in relation to the indication for stent placement.


RESULTS
In patients treated for bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia 23% of the stents were removed, as were 5% of those implanted in patients with bulbar urethral stricture and 22% of those in patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (see figure). Of the explantations 43.8% were done during year 1. Migration and/or inappropriate placement was the cause in 38.4% of cases. The most common stent site tissue finding was focal inflammation with a hyperplastic tissue response. Stent specific malignant changes were not observed. Stent removal was feasible with no sequelae. CONCLUSIONS When used appropriately, the UroLume endoprosthesis has a low incidence of failure. Stent removal is technically feasible and options are available for subsequent therapy. Local tissue reaction is minimal.
Shah
Darshan K
DK
Department of Urology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, USA.
Kapoor
Rakesh
R
Badlani
Gopal H
GH
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D020878:Device Removal; D004724:Endoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015607:Stents; D014521:Urethra / Q000473:pathology*; D014523:Urethral Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*