[Treatment of bladder neck obstructions by the Memotherm stent].

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and complications of treatment of bladder neck obstruction by Memotherm stent.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A Memotherm stent was implanted under local anaesthesia in 53 elderly patients presenting a poor general status and/or cardiopulmonary disease. All patients presented urinary retention, 48 patients presented signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 5 patients presented neurogenic bladder.

RESULTS

Micturition was restored immediately after implantation in 40 patients, implantation failed immediately in 3 patients and 3 patients required stent modification. Seven patients required prolonged bladder drainage before resumption of spontaneous micturition. Forty patients have long-term follow-up with a mean follow-up of 42 months and a maximum follow-up of 75 months. The stent was conserved throughout follow-up in 36 (90%) patients. The following complications were observed: 1 case of major intolerance, 1 case of early migration, 3 cases of late migration, 1 case of partial encrustation and 1 case of obstruction of the stent lumen by prostatic tissue.

CONCLUSION

When conventional BPH surgery is contra-indicated, the Memotherm stent can safely relieve bladder neck obstruction with satisfactory functional results.