CAN INTRAPROSTATIC STENT FAILURE BE PREDICTED - EXPERIENCE-BASED ON LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF 107 PATIENTS

Various prognostic factors which could be implicated in late complicat ions associated with intraurethral stents and coils were evaluated. A consecutive series of 107 subjects with BPH or prostatic cancer who re quired intraurethral stents and randomly received either the Prostakat h(R) or Urospiral(R) type were followed for 2-7 years. Data on stent-a ssociated complications were collected, Factors directly associated wi th the complication rate were the pre-treatment presence of an indwell ing catheter and asymptomatic bacteriuria, as well as post-treatment l ow urinary flow rate. Stent type and length did not influence outcome. It is concluded that in selected patients. either of the two studied intraurethral stents is a feasible and durable treatment. Men with ind welling catheters and/or bacteremia are at high risk of complications (e.g, migration, stone formation, strictures), as are those with post- stent insertion low uroflow. Although stents may be left in situ for y ears, these subgroups of men should be closely monitored to detect ear ly signs of complications.