W. Pauer et Gm. Eckerstorfer, Use of self-expanding permanent endoluminal stents for benign ureteral strictures: Mid-term results, J UROL, 162(2), 1999, pp. 319-322
Purpose: Benign ureteral strictures constitute a therapeutic dilemma, espec
ially in patients unable to undergo an open operative procedure. We report
on 13 patients with benign ureteral strictures treated with endoscopic impl
antation of self-expanding permanent endoluminal stents.
Materials and Methods: Endoscopic implantation was done using the Wallstent
* in 4 patients, the Memotherm dagger stent in 5 and the Sinus double dagge
r stent in 4. The technique of implantation followed the standardized proce
dure that we described in 1995.
Results: Mean followup was 41.6 months. Primary patency (ureters patent sin
ce implantation) was achieved in 7 patients and assisted patency (additiona
l intervention) was noted in 5. In 1 case the kidney had to be removed beca
use of progressive malfunction.
Conclusions: Implantation of self-expanding permanent endoluminal stents fo
r benign ureteral strictures is safe, effective and minimally invasive in s
elect cases. Additional studies and long-term results are needed to make de
finitive conclusions about this method.