EPITHELIALIZATION OF PERMANENT STENTS

The permanent Urolume((TM)) Wallstent has been used for the relief of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), detrusor-external sphincter dyssnerg ia (DESD), and recurrent bulbar urethral strictures, Because of its wo ven construction, it allows ingrowth of urothelial tissue, resulting i n complete epithelialization by 6 to 12 months, Certain risk factors a re associated with poor epithelialization that may lead to hyperplasti c tissue growth and occlusion of the urethral lumen. We review the lit erature and discuss the 5-year results of the North American Multicent er Urolume((TM)) Trial with regard to epithelialization, hyperplastic tissue growth, and treatment of hyperplastic growth.