title: Urinary tract infections associated with ureteral stents: A Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We review the literature on infections associated with ureteral stents and new technologies aimed at preventing them. Ureteral stent placement is one of the most common urologic procedures, but carries a comparatively high morbidity. Infection is one of the most common stent-associated morbidities. Several new stent materials and coatings have been proposed and tested to reduce stent-associated infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the current methods of preventing bacterial infection, including antibiotic prophylaxis and minimising dwell time. We look at the science underlying infection and biofilm formation on stents. Several new stent materials and coatings are described, as well as the studies underlying their mechanism of action.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While many promising ideas for new stent coatings and materials have been tested, no significant improvement to current polyurethane stent technology is commonly available or used. The basic principles of antibiotic prophylaxis at time of insertion, avoiding contamination, and minimising dwell times remain the best methods to prevent stent-associated infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Columbus. OH. USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Columbus. OH. USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knudsen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014513:Ureter; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control