title: Removal of retrievable self-expandable urethral stents: experience in 58 stents.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of removing retrievable self-expandable urethral stents using a retrieval hook wire. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the removal of 58 polyurethane or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)-covered stents was attempted in 33 patients using a retrieval hook wire. Indications for removal were elective removal (n = 21), stent migration (n = 19), formation of tissue hyperplasia around or inside of the stent (n = 14), stent deformity (n = 3), and severe pain (n = 1). The mean time the stents remained in place was 64.8 +/- 42.9 days (range, 1-177 days). Fifty-six (97%) of the 58 stents were successfully removed using the retrieval hook wire despite the following difficulties; hook wire disconnection (n = 2), untied drawstrings (n = 3), and polyurethane membrane disruption/separation (n = 4). The removal procedure using a retrieval hook wire failed in two stents (3%) which had migrated into the urinary bladder. One of the two stents with migration into the urinary bladder was removed using a snare through the cystostomy route. The overall complication rate was 14% (seven hematuria cases and one urethral tear case), and all were minor and spontaneously resolved without further treatment. In conclusion, removal of retrievable urethral stents using a retrieval hook wire was safe and effective despite some technical difficulties. It is a useful method for allowing temporary stent placement and solving various complications of stent use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 388-1, Pungnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Ho-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hyungkeun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin Hyoung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Heung-Kyu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Yong Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chul-Woong
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Tae-Hyung
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gi-Young
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Hyun-Ki
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Kyu-Bo
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging