Self-expanding stent insertion for urethral strictures: a 10-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Urolume endourethral self-expandable metallic stent (American Medical Systems, MI, USA) in treating urethral strictures, based on a follow-up of> 10 years.


METHODS
Between November 1989 and June 1990, the Urolume stent was inserted into 15 patients (aged 25-77 years) who had recurrent urethral strictures. The mean duration of stricture before stent insertion was 10.9 years. The patients (all men) were followed using a questionnaire and uroflowmetry, and if necessary, retrograde cysto-urethrography and/or urethroscopy and/or X-ray urodynamics.


RESULTS
Two failures were caused by excessive tissue proliferation in the stent, which ended in stent removal or a suprapubic catheter. Another two stents were removed because of discomfort or pain. Two patients developed stenosis in the stent after 7 and 9 years. In the final evaluation only two of the 15 patients were satisfied with their stent. The mean maximum urinary flow rate at the last follow-up was 15 mL/s, and half the patients noted 'stent' incontinence. Lower urinary tract infections, urge and stress incontinence, and discomfort with ejaculation, were all symptoms perceived at the last follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term results of the Urolume stent in this study weaken the optimistic early results. Only two of the 15 patients were satisfied with their stent.
De Vocht
T F
TF
Department of Urology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Venrooij
G E P M
GE
Boon
T A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D014563:Urodynamics