Precautions and complications in the use of the urolume wallstent.

The Urolume Wallstent was first used to treat urethral strictures in 1987. Its place in the treatment of urethral strictures is now well established and we have used it successfully in over 100 patients. Recent interest in alternative methods of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has led to the use of this and other stents in patients with symptomatic BPH who are a poor surgical risk. Over 270 patients have been treated by us with the Urolume Wallstent with satisfactory results. More recently we have also used this stent as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate in fat patients. Although the Urolume Wallstent is easy to use and clinically effective, complications can arise if proper care is not taken during its insertion. As the stent has become more widely used more problems and difficulties have been experienced. We discuss these and describe the precautions which should be taken in the use of this device in order to achieve the best results.