EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF A NEW DEVICE FOR PERCUTANEOUS TRANSRENAL URETERAL OCCLUSION

PURPOSE: To develop a device for percutaneous transrenal ureteral occl usion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The device was a double-body Gianturco-R osch biliary stent constrained at the junction of the two stents to cr eate an hourglass shape. One stent was coated with silicone. One devic e was percutaneously placed in each of nine pigs through a 9-F Teflon sheath. Urographic and hematologic follow-up was performed for up to 1 2 weeks. RESULTS: Seven pigs showed immediate, complete ureteral occlu sion, and two pigs exhibited persistent incomplete high-grade obstruct ion. All animals exhibited varying degrees of hydronephrosis and hydro ureter. No device migration was noted. Minor complications were encoun tered during device placement in three pigs, Mucosal folds and villus- like projections that arose from the lamina propria protruded into the lumen of the ureter at the cranial end of the covered stent and aroun d the wire of the caudal stent, Varying degrees of mural inflammation and edema were noted. CONCLUSION: Transrenal ureteral occlusion with t he described device appears to be a viable method for treating urinary fistulas.