Biodegradable ureteral stents: in vitro assessment of the degradation rates of braided synthetic polymers and copolymers.

The combination of synthetic biodegradable polymers and copolymers with different degradation rates provides a gradual staged degradation. Heparin dip coating is a safe and feasible technique to coat biodegradable ureteral stents without interfering in degradation rates although it does not have a significant effect on the onset of bacterial colonization.