A new stent for the treatment of urethral strictures. Preliminary report

We describe a new urethral stent which was implanted into 12 patients with urethral strictures. The stent is woven in the form of a tubular mesh from fine stainless steel wire and is self-expanding when released from its small diameter delivery catheter. All patients have been treated successfully, with a good calibre urethra visible on urethrography and direct endoscopy and with improved urine flow rates. The mean follow-up of these patients was 7 months (range 2-13). Urethroscopy demonstrated complete epithelial covering of the implant in 4 to 6 months. Although the follow-up period was short, it seems that this simple technique may offer a lasting treatment for many urethral strictures. A longer follow-up will be necessary to exclude late complications.