TEMPORARY PROSTATIC STENTING AND ANDROGEN SUPPRESSION - A NEW MINIMALLY INVASIVE APPROACH TO MALIGNANT PROSTATIC RETENTION

Urinary retention secondary to carcinoma of the prostate is usually tr eated by 'channel' transurethral resection of the prostate either perf ormed alone or in combination with hormone manipulation. The combinati on of temporary prostatic stenting and androgen suppression may reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this treatment. We report on our initial experience using the combination of a temporary prosta tic stent with the oral anti-androgen Flutamide in 10 patients with ur inary retention or severe bladder outflow obstruction secondary to pro static carcinoma. Eight of the ten patients successfully voided and ma intained normal voiding after stent removal. There were two treatment failures requiring prostatic resection. We believe the cost of stentin g and medication is entirely justified by patient preference and clear ance of hospital beds.