The use of a thermoexpandable metal alloy stent in the minimally invasive management of retroperitoneal fibrosis: a single center experience from the United kingdom.

PURPOSE

To review our experience with and the effectiveness of the ureteral Memokath 051 metallic stent for the minimally invasive management of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with RPF who were treated between April 2008 and February 2013. Success was defined as improvement of renal function and lack of complications after stent placement. Follow-up was at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and annually thereafter.

RESULTS

A total of 14 patients were identified. The study included eight female and six male patients. Mean age was 60.2 years±8.4 standard deviation (SD). The majority of patients had idiopathic RPF (n=12, 85.7%). Stent placement was performed in 23 renal units in 14 patients, 9 (64.3%) of whom had bilateral disease. Ten (71.4%) patients had previously received medical treatment, while three (21.4%) presented with recurrent disease postureterolysis. The mean length of follow-up was 22.5 months (range 3-56 mos). Mean stricture length was 7.6 cm±6.2 SD on the right and 7.7 cm±5.1 SD (P=0.925) on the left. Patients tolerated the stents well with minimal discomfort. Ureteral obstruction was managed successfully in 78.6% of patients (n=11/14). All patients had improvement of renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study using metal stents in patients with RPF. Retrograde placement of the ureteral Memokath 051 metal stent can be considered as a promising alternative for initial or salvage postureterolysis minimally invasive management of ureteral obstruction in RPF.