A short biodegradable helical spiral ureteric stent provides better antireflux and drainage properties than a double-J stent.

Objective: The use of ureteric stents is a standard treatment for the relief of ureter blockages for benign or malignant reasons. The most common stent design in clinical use is a double-J stent with coiled ends to avoid stent displacement. However, there are a number of complications associated with stent use.

Drainage and antireflux characteristics of a biodegradable self-reinforced, self-expanding X-ray-positive poly-L,D-lactide spiral partial ureteral stent: an experimental study.

Purpose: To evaluate the drainage and antireflux characteristics of a new self-expandable self-reinforced poly-L,D-lactide partial ureteral stent (SR-PLA 96) in an experimental model.

Materials And Methods: Twelve dogs were used as experimental animals. A low-midline laparotomy and cystotomy were performed on all animals.

Sexual function of LUTS patients before and after neodymium laser prostatectomy and transurethral resection of prostate. A prospective, randomized trial.

Objective: To assess and compare the sexual function of patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or Nd:YAG laser treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by obstructing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Patients And Methods: 98 LUTS patients with urodynamically confirmed bladder outlet obstruction were recruited. Patients were randomised to TURP and laser treatment, which was further divided to contact and hybrid treatments according to prostate size.

Long-term results of contact laser versus transurethral resection of the prostate in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with small or moderately enlarged prostates.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of contact laser vaporization (CLV) of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patients with symptomatic bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with prostates smaller than 40 ml.

Material And Methods: A total of 52 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urodynamically confirmed BOO caused by BPH with glands smaller than 40 ml were treated by means of CLV or TURP in a randomized trial. Changes in symptom score, urodynamics and prostate volume were evaluated during a 4-year follow-up period.

Patients with acute flank pain: comparison of MR urography with unenhanced helical CT.

Purpose: To compare unenhanced helical computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) urography, by using T2-weighted and contrast material-enhanced T1-weighted imaging to examine patients with acute flank pain, with reference to excretory urography and final clinical diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: Forty-nine patients underwent CT, MR urography (with T2-weighted and gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced T1-weighted sequences), and excretory urography. CT and MR urographic findings were evaluated separately and independently by two radiologists each (CT, observers A and B; MR urography, observers C and D) for the presence, cause, level, and degree of obstruction.