Evaluation of a tubular mesh and a spiral stent woven from titanium nickel alloy for prostatic obstruction in patients at high risk for surgery. Report of 62 cases.

The use of two urethral stents woven from titanium nickel alloy (TiNi) in the form of a tubular mesh or a spiral stent (both made in China) is described. They were implanted in 62 patients with prostatic outflow obstruction. All patients were considered contraindicated for surgery. They were divided into a spiral stent group (group 1) treated between March 1992 and May 1993, comprising 35 cases, and a tubular mesh group (group 2) treated between October 1993 and December 1994, comprising 31 cases, including four failures in group 1. Thirty-three out of the 35 patients in group 1 were treated successfully. Good results were achieved in eight cases (22.8%) and significant improvements occurred in 24 (68.5%), giving a total effective rate of 91.3%, with a follow-up of 11 to 27 months. Fourteen stents were removed within 6 months after the insertion and six more were removed within 12 months. The mean effective time of the stent in situ was 10.8 months. All 31 cases in the mesh group were treated successfully. Dramatically good effects were obtained in 28 cases (over 90%) and distinct improvements were achieved in two, giving a total effective rate of over 96.5%, with a follow-up of 6 to 14 months (mean 10.5 months). Cystoscopy was carried out in 12 patients after 6 months following the insertion. The major part of the meshes became covered by urothelium. Compared with the spiral, the mesh makes it possible to insert a prosthesis with a larger diameter and anti-pressure. The spiral, however, can be used as a temporary alternative for the relief of prostatic obstruction. A tubular mesh can work well for the relief of prostatic obstruction and remain in situ without causing major problems for at least 1 year.