Technique for Resonance® stent exchange in patients with extrinsic obstruction: description of a novel approach and literature review.

Malignant ureteral obstruction is a morbid diagnosis and can be difficult to manage. Ureteral stents often fail as the disease progresses. Metallic stents have provided a longer-term option for decompression as they inherently resist compression and require changes left often. However, changing metallic stents is challenging as it cannot be done over a wire as is done with plastic stents. We present a novel technique for safe and efficient exchange of the Resonance(®) metallic stent. We also review the literature on metallic stents.