title: Long-term results of permanent memotherm urethral stent in the treatment of recurrent bulbar urethral strictures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long term outcomes of permanent Memotherm urethral stent in the treatment of recurrent bulbar urethral stricture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients who underwent permanent Memotherm urethral stent implantation due to recurrent bulbar urethral stricture following previous unsuccessful surgical procedure from 1996 to 2002 were included in the study. Long-term outcomes of the patients were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall success rate was 87.5% at the end of the tenth year. There was discomfort in implantation area in eight patients about 1 month following the procedure. These patients were treated with alpha-blocker and anti-inflammatory drugs. Stone formation was observed at the urethral stent implantation area in two patients. Post-void dripping has been observed in 15 patients up to the postoperative 3rd month. Stress urinary incontinence was observed in a patient with a 1-year follow-up. Partial stent migration was observed in two patients. None of the patients experienced pain during erection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Memotherm urethral stent is a minimal invasive surgical procedure which can be safely and effectively used in patients with recurrent urethral stricture.
authors.affiliation: Izmir University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Izmir,Turkey.
authors.forename: Yusuf Ziya
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Atesci
authors.affiliation: Izmir University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Izmir,Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karakose
authors.affiliation: Izmir University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Izmir,Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aydogdu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult