A pilot study of a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid urethral stent combined with finasteride in the treatment of acute urinary retention from benign prostatic enlargement.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether patients with acute urinary retention from benign prostatic enlargement can be treated with a combined therapy comprising a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) urethral stent and finasteride.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eleven men in acute urinary retention were treated as outpatients; they had a suprapubic catheter inserted and the SR-PLLA stent placed cystoscopically. The patients were allowed to attempt to void spontaneously after 2 days.

RESULTS

All patients started to void spontaneously within 2 weeks. There was a steady improvement in urinary flow rates up to 9 months, followed by a slight impairment after the bioabsorption of the stent. During the mean (range) follow-up of 24 (23-26) months only three patients required surgical treatment.

CONCLUSION

The bioabsorbable SR-PLLA stent combined with finasteride therapy provides a promising new alternative in the treatment of acute urinary retention, especially in patients unfit for surgical therapy. Larger, placebo-controlled studies are needed to establish the efficacy of this combined therapy.