Efficacy of polyglycolic acid (PGA) tubing stents in ureteroureterostomies.

Polyglycolic acid (PGA) tube stented, silastic stented and non-stented anastomoses were compared in 18 ureteroureterostomies performed in 13 dogs. Urinalysis, urine culture, BUN and serum creatinine and intravenous pyelograms were done periodically from 1 day to 6 months postoperatively and ureteral dynamics were performed at 6 months. Normal intravenous pyelograms were observed following 10 of 11 PGA stented, 3 of 4 silastic stented and 2 of 3 unstented anastomoses. PGA stents prevented extravasation and dissolved within 7 days without stone formation. Urodynamic and histopathologic studies revealed no significant differences among the 3 groups. The data suggest that PGA stents are as effective as silastic stents and do not require additional procedures for removal.