A new self-expanding, large-caliber ureteral stent: results of a multicenter experience.
OBJECTIVE
Ureteral strictures (US) can be a recurrent chronic illness that leads to severe side effects and poor quality of life. Several options to treat US exist, including repeated dilations, stents, minimally invasive reconstructive surgeries, and urinary diversion or nephrectomy. Placement of an ureteral stent is a good minimally invasive option but has major limitations, such as stent migration, mucosal in-growth, incrustations, and stent obstruction. Our study aim was to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of a new self-expanding, large caliber ureteral stent (Allium(®)).


METHODS
During 2005 to 2011, 49 stents were inserted in 49 renal units (40 patients) for a mean indwelling time of 17 months (range 1-63 mos).


RESULTS
Migration was observed in seven (14.2%) patients, mandating stent removal. Only one stent was occluded. In eight renal units, the stents were removed as scheduled, and no reobstruction was detected during follow-up. Twenty-eight patients currently have a patent stent.


CONCLUSIONS
The Allium stent provides an attractive solution for long-term internal ureteral drainage. Its design allows good anchoring, prevents intraluminal ingrowth, and has the ability of rapid disintegration for extremely easy removal.
Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Boaz
B
Moskovitz
Sarel
S
Halachmi
Ofer
O
Nativ
D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000601:surgery; D020878:Device Removal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*