Experience with the Memotherm™ permanently implanted prostatic stent

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Memotherm (Angiomed) permanently implantable prostatic stent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight men (mean age 70.3 years, range 57-86) with symptoms and urodynamics suggestive of bladder outflow obstruction had a Memotherm stent inserted into the prostatic urethra. Subjective and objective follow-up was performed at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: All but one patient was eventually able to void. Ten stents have been removed and three patients are awaiting stent removal. Subjective benefits bore no correlation with the maximum urinary flow rate and the findings on cystoscopy. Only 15 of the 48 patients had a satisfactory result. CONCLUSION: Permanently implanted prostatic stents should be considered experimental and only marketed after intensive investigation. As a result of this study, the Memotherm stent is to undergo significant modifications.