Related Experiment Videos
Thermo-expandable intraprostatic stents in bladder outlet obstruction: an 8-year study
M J A Perry1, A J Roodhouse, A B Gidlow
1Department of Urology, Ashford and St Peter's Hospital, Middlesex, UK.
BJU International
|July 23, 2002
Summary
The Memokath intraprostatic stent effectively treats bladder outlet obstruction in frail men unfit for TURP, significantly improving symptoms with minimal side effects. This stent offers a safe alternative for elderly patients with advanced conditions.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Medical Devices
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) significantly impacts quality of life, particularly in elderly or medically compromised men.
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a standard treatment but carries risks for frail patients.
- Alternative minimally invasive solutions are needed for patients unsuitable for TURP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Memokath thermo-expandable intraprostatic stent for BOO.
- To assess symptom improvement, complication rates, and stent longevity in men ineligible for TURP.
- To determine the duration of stent life and patient outcomes in a frail population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 211 elderly men (mean age 80.2 years) unfit for TURP received 217 Memokath stents over 8 years.
- The Memokath stent, a nickel-titanium alloy with shape memory, expands at 55°C and is inserted via flexible cystoscope under local anesthesia.
- Outcomes assessed included International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), complications, stent removal rates, and patient survival.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in mean IPSS from 20.3 to 8.2 within 3 months post-stenting (P < 0.001), sustained over 7 years.
- Stent migration occurred in 13% and repositioning in 16%; common side effects included pain (3%), hematuria (3%), incontinence (6%), and infection (6%).
- 38% of patients died with the stent in situ; 23% had stents removed due to failure, with mortality being a more common outcome than stent failure in this frail cohort.
Conclusions:
- The Memokath intraprostatic stent is a safe and effective treatment option for elderly and frail men with advanced bladder outlet obstruction.
- It provides significant and durable symptom relief, complementing existing urological treatment modalities.
- The stent offers a valuable alternative for patients who cannot undergo traditional surgical interventions like TURP.