A temporary intraurethral prostatic stent relieves prostatic obstruction following transurethral microwave thermotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
The Spanner, a novel prostatic stent, was evaluated for safety, efficacy and patient tolerance when used to relieve prostatic obstruction following transurethral microwave thermotherapy.


METHODS
Following transurethral microwave thermotherapy and routine post-procedure Foley catheterization at 1 of 9 clinical sites 186 patients meeting study criteria were randomized to receive a Spanner (100) or the standard of care (86). Baseline evaluations included post-void residual urine, uroflowmetry, International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life question. These evaluations were repeated at visits 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 weeks after randomization (Spanner insertion) with the addition of the Spanner satisfaction questionnaire, ease of use assessment and adverse events recording. The Spanner was removed after 4 weeks, at which time the Spanner and standard of care groups underwent cystourethroscopy.


RESULTS
At the 1 and 2-week visits the Spanner group showed significantly greater improvements from baseline in post-void residual urine, uroflowmetry and International Prostate Symptom Score compared to the standard of care group. The Spanner group experienced significantly greater improvements in quality of life at the 5 and 8-week visits. Patient satisfaction with the Spanner exceeded 86%. Cystourethroscopy findings in the Spanner and standard of care groups were comparable and adverse events associated with previous stents were rare.


CONCLUSIONS
The Spanner is a safe, effective and well tolerated temporary stent for severe prostatic obstruction resulting from therapy induced edema after transurethral microwave thermotherapy. It may be a needed addition to the armamentarium for managing bladder outlet obstruction in a broad group of urological patients.
Shore
Neal D
ND
Grand Strand Urology, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29572, USA. nshore@grandstrandurology.com
Dineen
Martin K
MK
Saslawsky
Mark J
MJ
Lumerman
Jeffrey H
JH
Corica
Alberto P
AP
D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015607:Stents; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014563:Urodynamics