Thermo-expandable intraprostatic stents in bladder outlet obstruction: an 8-year study.

Objective: To assess the use of a thermo-expandable intraprostatic stent (Memokath(R), Engineers and Doctors A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark) for bladder outlet obstruction in men unable to undergo transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), assessing symptoms, complications and duration of stent life.

Patients And Methods: The Memokath stent is a coil of a nickel-titanium alloy which has 'shape memory', the lower end expanding when heated to 55 degrees C. Risks associated with inserting the stent with a flexible cystoscope under local anaesthesia are minimal.

National guidelines for nurse cytoscopy.

There is a growing demand for flexible cystoscopy, and nurse involvement can help meet this. Support for nurse cystoscopy from the UKCC depends on nurses' professional accountability and competence. It is important that national guidelines are adhered to if nurses are to undertake flexible cystoscopy safely.

The nurse cystoscopist: a feasible option?

Objectives: To compare the accuracy achieved by a trained urology nurse practitioner (UNP) and consultant urologist in detecting bladder tumours during flexible cystoscopy.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-three patients underwent flexible cystoscopy by both the UNP and consultant urologist, each unaware of the other's findings. Before comparing the findings, each declared whether there was tumour or any suspicious lesion requiring biopsy.