A Spanner in the works: the use of a new temporary urethral stent to relieve bladder outflow obstruction after prostate brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: Assessment of the Spanner, a new temporary urethral stent to relieve bladder outflow obstruction and urinary symptoms after brachytherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Five patients with unusually severe urinary morbidity after (125)I brachytherapy were recruited. The mean time after implant was 40 days (range 25-90). Spanner intraprostatic stents were introduced using topical anesthetic without complication.

RESULTS

All patients were able to void spontaneously with no post-void residual volume of urine. The flow rates increased in all cases (p=0.03) and the International Prostate Symptom Scores were significantly improved after stent insertion in all patients (p=0.03). All patients experienced some degree of pain or dysuria during stent use.

CONCLUSIONS

Bladder outflow obstruction was effectively treated with the Spanner intraprostatic stent, however pain limited the use of the device in the early post-brachytherapy patient group. Pharmacotherapy, stent design modification, or smaller stent diameter may increase the utility of stents after brachytherapy.