[Recurrent urethral stenosis treated with a Urolome Plus stent implantation: intermediate multicenter follow-up]

We present the medium-term results of 33 patients treated with Urolume Plus urethral stent between August 1990 and June 1996 in 9 Belgian and Luxembourg centers. They all had previous treatments for bulbo-membranous urethral stricture, but without sustained benefit (dilatation, internal urethrotomy, or/and urethroplasty). The mean age of the stricture was 5.4 years (+/- 4). The stent was inserted easily during a short hospitalisation. Median time of follow-up is two years (6 months to 4 years). Maximum flow rate at last follow-up was 20.7 ml/sec (+/- 7), and 83.3% of the patients were satisfied with the stent. In 70% of the cases, the stent achieved its purpose of maintaining a good urethral lumen. In 5 patients (15.15%), stricture recurred inside the stent and in 2 patients (6.06%) a new stricture appeared on another site. Among these 7 patients, 5 were satisfactorily treated by endoluminal resection (4 cases) or dilatation (1 case). There were 2 real failures (= 6%): one patient who has refused any complementary endoscopic treatment and the other one who is still undergoing repeated urethral dilatations. Having respected the right indications for this device, we are satisfied of the results. It is a good alternative after failure of other treatments for bulbar-membranous stricture.