Metallic ureteric stents: early experience

Objective To report our experience with metallic self-expanding stents in t he palliative care of patients with ureteric obstruction caused by advanced pelvic malignancy. Patients and methods Seven patients (five men and two women, mean age 72.8 years, range 58-88) with ureteric obstruction caused by advanced pelvic mal ignancy were evaluated. Self-expanding metallic Memotherm(TM) stents (Angio med, Karlsruhe, Germany) were deployed using an antegrade approach in all p atients. Patients were followed for a mean (range) of 9 (4-13) months to as sess renal function and survival. Results All seven patients had good palliation; their quality of life was i mproved and symptoms such as loin pain were ameliorated. Renal function was preserved; the mean serum creatinine level before and after stenting was 6 36 and 263 mu mol/L, respectively). The mean duration of stent patency was 9 months. Of the five patients who subsequently died, only two had recurren t renal failure, presumably caused by stent occlusion, Conclusions The use of metallic stents in the palliative care of ureteric o bstruction caused by advanced pelvic malignancy is a safe and effective tre atment.