Endourethral prostheses for urethral stricture

A number of urethral stents made of different materials, with different time of indwelling and different designs, primarily based on the vascular stent concept, have been applied in the clinical practice so far. According to the published studies, urethral stents have justified their clinical application, however with certain limitations. Within an attempt to overcome the limitations, a covered, temporary urethral stent was initially designed by Daniel Yachie and Zeljko Markovic in Allium corporation from Israel. With its triangular shape, the stent is a replica of the obstructive urethral lumen. The follow-up of resuIts was done according to a priori established protocol including the following: UCG, uroflowmetry and interview with patients. Due to stent migration, the stent over stent technique was applied in two case, while reposition by balloon-catheter outward traction was performed in two cases of caudal migration. No irritative discomforts were reported in the first 6 months after stent dwelling. Uroflowmetric controls verified at least four times better results than before the insertion. Given it is the question of covered stent, there is no possibility of proliferative secondary lumen obstruction. On account of soft structure and conic shape of posterior part of stent, no lesions of the external urethral sphincter were manifested. The stent is simply withdrawn after 12 months by outward traction using the forceps at the time when the stent construction turns into soft and straight wire. After 12-16 months in all cases we removel stent and in all patients we find complete recanalisation without any disuric problem. In 5 cases we find new "contact" stricture on anterior part of stent and treated succeed with balloon recanalisation.