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The following is a summary of “Initial experience of a novel ureteral silicon-covered metallic mesh stent in malignant ureteric obstruction: a single-center retrospective study,” published in the December 2024 issue of Urology by Lee et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess the initial experiences and outcomes of the retrograde insertion of a silicone-covered metallic ureteric stent (Urexel^™ ) for malignant ureteric obstruction. 

They reviewed the medical records of 12 patients who received Urexel^™  stent placement for malignant ureteric obstruction from March 2020 to March 2021. Clinical outcomes and complications of the nitinol mesh stent covered with silicone were assessed. 

The results showed a median patient age of 61.5 (44–82) years and a median follow-up of 25.5 (4–37) months. The 1 patient had bilateral stent insertion, with 13 ureteral units treated. No technical failure occurred during placement. The median obstruction length was 9 (1–22) cm. Balloon dilation was needed in 38.5% (5/13) cases. The 6-month success rate was 83.3%, 1-year success rate was 70%, and 2-year success rate was 44.4%. Encrustation, migration, and hyperplasia caused failure in all 6 cases, with a median time to failure of 9.5 (1–30) months. Common complications were persistent pain, acute pyelonephritis, and lower urinary tract symptoms, all Clavien-Dindo grade I or II. 

Investigators concluded that Urexel^™  silicone-covered metallic mesh stents provided acceptable success and complication rates in malignant ureteric obstructions. The stents demonstrated promising outcomes in this initial series. 

Source: bmcurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12894-024-01653-y