[Use of biodegradable stents in treating complex urethral strictures]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Engineering

Background:

• Complex urethral strictures pose significant treatment challenges.
• Traditional management often involves invasive procedures with potential complications.
• Advanced imaging and minimally invasive techniques are needed for improved outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of transurethral laser vaporization combined with biodegradable urethral stents for complex urethral strictures.
• To assess the role of three-dimensional echocontrast sonourethrography in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Main Methods:

• Seven male patients with complex urethral strictures underwent examination using three-dimensional echocontrast sonourethrography.
• Treatment involved transurethral laser vaporization of scar tissue followed by implantation of biodegradable urethral stents (SR PLGA stents) during cystourethroscopy.
• Internal bladder drainage was managed using the SR-PLGA stents.

Main Results:

• The combined approach of laser vaporization and biodegradable stent implantation was performed in seven patients.
• Internal drainage with SR-PLGA stents effectively protected against infection and complications associated with traditional catheterization.
• Sonourethrography demonstrated high informativeness, low invasiveness, and relative safety.

Conclusions:

• Transurethral laser vaporization and biodegradable urethral stent implantation represent a promising treatment for complex urethral strictures.
• SR-PLGA stents offer safe internal drainage, mitigating risks of infection and catheterization complications.
• Three-dimensional echocontrast sonourethrography is a valuable tool in the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for urethral strictures.