The self-expanding metallic ureteric stent in the long-term management of benign ureteric strictures

Objective To evaluate and assess the long-term complications of using the thermo-expandable. nickel-titanium alloy stent (Memokath(TM) 051, Engineers & Doctors A/S, Hornbaek, Denmark) for managing benign ureteric strictures. Patients and methods Over a 3-year period. 13 Memokath stents were inserted in 11 patients (mean age 58 years, range 35-85) with 12 lower ureteric strictures. The cause of the stricture was benign in all cases. i.e. radiation fibrosis in three, retroperitoneal fibrosis, ischaemic uretero-ileal anastomosis and scarring after ureteroscopy in two each, and diathermy damage, extraluminal endometriosis and stone passage in one each. Four stents were 9 F with proximal expansion to 17 F and the other nine used were 10.5 F with proximal expansion to 20 F. The patients were followed for it mean (range) of 18 (1.5-33) months. Results No complications or side-effects occurred with nine stents: four stents were removed at a mean (range) of 16.3 (4-33) months. Three of these had become encrusted, two of which had been placed in patients who had either a history of stone disease or recurrent urinary tract infection. The other stent had migrated. Conclusion The Memokath stent appears to have a useful role in managing benign ureteric strictures, but it must be closely monitored in patients who are predisposed to encrustation.