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[Treatment of ureteral obstruction with auto-expandable metallic endoprosthesis]
F J Burgos Revilla1, V Gómez Dosantos, C Carrera Puerta
1Servicio de Urología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of Nitinol (Memotherm) self-expandible metal stents in the treatment of malignant and non-malignant ureteral obstruction in patients who are not eligible for surgery.
Methods:
A total of 14 ureteral strictures (5 malignant, 9 non-malignant) in 13 patients were treated by the implantation of a Nitinol endoprosthesis. Eight were implanted by the antegrade and 6 by the retrograde route. A mean of 1.3 stents were implanted per patient.
Results:
85% of the stents were patent at a mean follow-up of 10.2 months (range 2-28). Four prostheses developed transient obstruction that was resolved by insertion of a double-J catheter for periods that ranged from 2 to 6 months. One stent required a permanent double-J catheter and another stent showed functional obstruction, although it was morphologically patent.
Conclusion:
The Nitinol self-expandible metal stent is effective in the treatment of malignant and non-malignant ureteral obstructions in patients who are not eligible for surgery due to the tumor stage or high surgical risk.