Advances in ureteral stent technology

Abstract

Purpose of reviewUreteral stents are an invaluable tool for urologists but suffer from several drawbacks, including: limited durability due to stent encrustation, significant morbidity from bothersome urinary symptoms, pain and infection, risk of the forgotten stent and costly removal. This review highlights key advances in ureteral stent technology that seek to address these issues. Recent findingsOver the past 2 years clinical trials have brought ureteral stent technology aimed to reduce stent-associated morbidity closer to clinical application. Stent material and changes to stent design show promise in improving patient tolerability without increasing complications. Low-tech innovations such as magnetic and catheter snare removal may quickly reduce costs. Radical advances such as biodegradable stent materials remain in preclinical models but show promise for eliminating the need for stent removal.

Outcomes of Flexible Ureteroscopy vs Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Renal Stones in Pediatric Patients: A European Association of Urology Urolithiasis Guidelines Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…23 Most children do seem to tolerate this, and it negates the need for a second anesthetic. 28 There were several limitations to this study. With only 3 randomized trials available, there is clearly a risk of publication bias, and indeed this was detected in most of the outcomes.…”

Application, Advancement, and Complication of Ureteral Stent and Encrustation: A Major Complication

“…The discoveries have the potential to transform future designs of stents and supplement material and coating advancements [22,23]. While ureteral stents are intended to relieve symptoms and issues associated with a variety of urological disorders, stent encrustation is a significant complication that can have a negative influence on a patient's standard of living and welfare, especially in those individuals who need lasting stenting [20,[24][25][26]. Novel ureteral stent high-tech is a fast-evolving sector that allows physicians, investigators, and medical apparatus makers to interact, which could reduce encrustation and enhance individual results.…”

Antistricture Ureteral Stents with a Braided Composite Structure and Surface Modification with Antistenosis Drugs

“…In clinical practice, the most commonly used stent is the polyurethane double “J” tube. , Although bare metal stents reduce the possibility of blockage and stimulation of the urinary tract, provide a stable and lasting ureteral lumen opening, and increase urinary flow in the stents, they have many limitations such as inward growth of polyps and difficulties of placement and replacement . The typical drug-eluting stent consists of three components (bare stent, coating layer, and drug components).…”

“…7,8 Although bare metal stents reduce the possibility of blockage and stimulation of the urinary tract, provide a stable and lasting ureteral lumen opening, and increase urinary flow in the stents, 9 they have many limitations such as inward growth of polyps and difficulties of placement and replacement. 10 The typical drugeluting stent consists of three components (bare stent, coating layer, and drug components). The traditional method for fabricating a drug-eluting stent involves soaking a bare metal stent in the drug solution to load drug on the surface, with the specific drug selected based on the intended use of the stent.…”