Spontaneous breakage of self-retaining intraprostatic stent

An unexpected late complication was observed in a patient in whom the self-retaining intraprostatic stent was inserted. Among our 32 patients in whom the device was used, instead of a long-term indwelling catheter in high operative risk patients or in those awaiting a definitive operation, the success rate was 80%, with a 20% immediate failure rate. Spontaneous breakage of the device occurred 96 days after its insertion. This device was removed endoscopically and a new unit was inserted under sonographic guidance. After 6 months the device still functioned satisfactorily.