The "Wallstent": a new stent for the treatment of urethral strictures

Bladder neck contracture

Bladder neck contracture (BNC) is a well-described complication of the surgical treatment of benign and malignant prostate conditions. Nevertheless, etiologies of BNC development are highly dependent on the primary treatment modality undertaken with BNC also occurring after pelvic radiation. The treatment options for BNC can range from simple, office-based dilation procedures to more invasive, complex abdomino-perineal reconstructive surgery. Although numerous strategies have been described, a patient-specific approach is usually necessary in the management of these complex patients. In this review, we highlight various therapeutic maneuvers described for the management of BNC and further delineate a tailored approach utilized at our institution in these complicated patients.

SIU/ICUD Consultation on Urethral Strictures: Dilation, internal urethrotomy, and stenting of male anterior urethral strictures

Male urethral stricture is one of the oldest known urologic diseases, and continues to be a common and challenging urologic condition. Our objective was to review all contemporary and historial articles on the topic of dilation, internal urethrotomy, and stenting of male anterior urethral strictures. An extensive review of the scientific literature concerning anterior urethral urethrotomy/dilation/stenting was performed. Articles were included that met the criteria set by the International Consultation on Urological Diseases (ICUD) urethral strictures committee and were classified by level of evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria adapted from the work of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research as modified for use in previous ICUD projects. Using criteria set forth by the ICUD, a committee of international experts in urethral stricture disease reviewed the literature and created a consensus statement incorporating levels of evidence and expert opinion in regard to dilation, internal urethrotomy, and stenting of male anterior urethral strictures.

Standardized approach for the treatment of refractory bladder neck contractures

Bladder neck contracture is a relatively uncommon but well-described complication after the surgical treatment of prostate cancer. Although numerous treatments have been described as an initial management strategy for patients with this condition, the management of refractory cases remains highly variable. This article evaluates various therapeutic maneuvers used for the treatment of refractory bladder neck contracture and further describes the preliminary results of an endoscopic balloon dilation with concomitant deep traunsurethral incision procedure. Short- and long-term management algorithms for patients with recurrent bladder neck contractures are reviewed.

Management of urethral stent failure for recurrent anterior urethral strictures

BACKGROUND

Urethral stent placement for recurrent anterior urethral strictures may cause restenosis and complications.

OBJECTIVE

To describe our experience with patients who had restenoses and complications following urethral stent placement for the treatment of recurrent anterior urethral strictures.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We evaluated retrospectively the records of 13 men with anterior urethral stricture who experienced restenosis and complications after stent insertion. We recorded stent position, prestent and poststent urethral procedures, restenosis location, stent-related complications, and management of stent failures.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

The stent was removed en bloc with the whole strictured urethral segment or wire by wire after a ventral or a double-ventral plus dorsal-sagittal urethrotomy and stent section.

MEASUREMENTS

Successful outcome was defined as standard voiding, without need of any postoperative procedure, and full recovery from complications.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Four patients did not undergo surgery and the stent was left in situ. Of these patients, two required permanent suprapubic cystostomy. Nine patients underwent challenging surgical stent removal and salvage urethrostomy: After the first stage, three patients are waiting for further reconstructive steps, five elected the urethrostomy as a permanent diversion, and one completed the staged reconstruction using a buccal mucosa graft at the second stage. After surgery, seven of the nine patients (77.8%) were free of strictures and stent-related complications, while a restenosis occurred in two of the nine (22.2%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of urethral stent failure represents a therapeutic challenge. The stent risks converting a simple stenosis into a complex stenosis requiring a staged urethroplasty, a definitive urethrostomy, or a permanent suprapubic diversion.

Long-term results of a self-expanding wallstent in the treatment of urethral stricture

OBJECTIVE

To report the long-term outcome over 12 years of using the urethral Urolume wallstent (AMS, Minnetonka, MI, USA) for treating recurrent bulbar urethral stricture disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The case-notes of 60 consecutive men with urethral Urolume wallstents placed for treating recurrent bulbar strictures were reviewed retrospectively. Information was collected on patient demographics, stricture aetiology, stent-related complications and the need for further surgery to treat stent- or stricture-related complications.

RESULTS

The mean (range) age of the men was 58 (32-76) years. The most common cause of stricture was iatrogenic, arising after previous endoscopic surgery or after an indwelling catheter (45%). Thirty-five men had complications, with re-operation required in 27 (45%) of them. The most frequent nonsurgical complications were post-micturition dribble (32%) and recurrent urinary tract infections (27%). The most common surgical interventions required were transurethral resection of obstructing stent hyperplasia (32%), urethral dilatation or urethrotomy for stent obstruction or stricture (25%) and endoscopic litholapaxy for stent encrustation or stone (17%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Urolume wallstent should only be used in patients who are unfit for or who refuse a bulbar urethroplasty.

Endoprosthesis implantation in the treatment of recurrent urethral stricture: a multicenter study. Sicilian-Calabrian Urology Society

PURPOSE

This study was conducted by nine urology departments in southern Italy to assess the efficacy of and tolerance to treatment of recurrent urethral stricture using a permanent prosthesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Since 1992, 99 prostheses have been implanted to treat inflammatory and iatrogenic (seven departments) or all types (two departments) of urethral strictures. The Urolume Wallstent was used in 94 cases. Three centers implanted more than one prosthesis when this was indicated. Local anesthesia was used by six centers, spinal anesthesia by two, and local or general by one. At three centers, urethrotomy was performed immediately prior to implantation; two centers used dilation to 30F, and two centers performed urethrotomy 24 or 36 hours before implantation. The median follow-up is 29.1 months (range 3-53 months).

RESULTS

The results were good in 52%, fair in 34%, and poor in 14% of patients. The maximum flow rate increased >75% in 82% of patients. All departments reported complete reepithelialization of the urethra by 6 months. The short-term complications (7-28 days) were perineal discomfort (86%) and dribbling (14%). The long-term complications were painful erection (44%), mucous hyperplasia (44%), recurring stricture (29%), and incontinence (14%). All departments performed resection for hyperplasia in many cases.

CONCLUSION

Permanent urethral endoprostheses can produce excellent results in patients with recurrent urethral strictures.