Recent advances in ureteral stents.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Conventional ureteral stents, which have been in use for almost 30 years, are undergoing several changes in materials, designs and purposes of use.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advances in ureteroscopes reduced the numbers of double-J insertions. In addition, because of the frequent failures of the double-J stents in malignant obstructions of the ureter coiled metal stents, metal coil-reinforced stents and large-caliber self-expanding stents are being developed for such patients. In the near future, a new application will be stent-based drug delivery.

SUMMARY

The conventional double-J stents and the concept of ureteral stenting is undergoing several changes. New generation stents will allow the physician to choose better-fitting stents according to the needs of the individual patient.