[Application of temporary polyurethane-covered nitinol endoprosthesis in treating urethral stricture]

The incidence of urethral strictures and their recurrences is high. The effectiveness of optical urethrotomy in men is insufficient. Reconstructive urethroplasty is the "gold standard", but it is traumatic and accompanied by a prolonged period of rehabilitation. The results of using metal endourethral stents were unsatisfactory because of their incrustation and migration. This paper presents the results treating urethral strictures of various etiologies in 22 patients, who underwent optical urethrotomy with temporary placement of a new generation polyurethane-covered nitinol stents. After removing the stents from 3 to 8 months after implantation, there was a stable effect of preserving the urethral lumen. The recurrence of the stricture occurred in 1 case 1 month following the stent removal. In other cases, there were no recurrences over 1-3 year follow-up. We consider placing an internal stent as an alternative adjunctive treatment of patients with urethral strictures.