Metallic ureteric stents: early experience.

Objective: To report our experience with metallic self-expanding stents in the palliative care of patients with ureteric obstruction caused by advanced pelvic malignancy.

Patients And Methods: Seven patients (five men and two women, mean age 72.8 years, range 58-88) with ureteric obstruction caused by advanced pelvic malignancy were evaluated. Self-expanding metallic Memotherm stents (Angiomed, Karlsruhe, Germany) were deployed using an antegrade approach in all patients. Patients were followed for a mean (range) of 9 (4-13) months to assess renal function and survival.

Results: All seven patients had good palliation; their quality of life was improved and symptom such as loin pain were ameliorated. Renal function was preserved; the mean serum creatinine level before and after stenting was 636 and 263 mumol/L, respectively). The mean duration of stent patency was 9 months. Of the five patients who subsequently died, only two had recurrent renal failure, presumably caused by stent occlusion.

Conclusions: The use of metallic stents in the palliative care of ureteric obstruction caused by advanced pelvic malignancy is a safe and effective treatment.