[Clinical study of a metallic prostatic stent].

Treatment using a metallic spiral was attempted on 22 patients. They had urinary retention in 16 cases and dysuria in 6. In 21 of them, the spiral was successfully placed under transrectal ultrasound control. In all 21 patients, voiding was possible immediately after placement of the spiral. As for urodynamic study, urine volume was 100-230 ml (mean: 172 ml), maximum flow rate was 13-21 ml/sec (mean: 17.3 ml/sec), and average flow rate was 4-12 ml/sec (mean: 8.2 ml/sec). Residual urine volume was less than 30 ml in 20 patients and 200 ml in one. As for complications, proximal migration of the spiral was observed in 6 patients. In 4 of them, the new spiral was placed. Perineal discomfort was seen in 3 patients, in 2 the spiral was removed. Pyuria associated with bacterial infection did not continue after the treatment in patients having a catheter. Severe urge incontinence and encrustation were never seen. The above findings suggest that, though a longterm study has not done, this treatment could be an effective treatment particularly for the elderly patients with general complications and/or who require removal of an indwelling catheter for clinical or social reasons.