[Endourethral prosthesis in recurrent urethral stenosis. Long-term follow-up].

Objectives: To describe our experience with urethral stents in the treatment of recurrent strictures.
Methods: From March 1991 to July 1992, 17 Wallstent and 1 Strecker self-expandable stents were implanted. Patient follow-up ranged from 11 to 40 months. The results were analyzed on the basis of the clinical, urodynamic, radiological and cystoscopic findings.
Results: Of the 18 patients in whom a urethral stent had been implanted, 2 (11.1%) required removal of the stent, 1 patient was lost to follow-up, 2 had died during follow-up from causes unrelated with the procedure. At 40 months follow-up, late complications were observed in 8 patients (47%): intraprosthetic excrescence, erectile disorders, pollakiuria, lithiasis, episodes of RAO, or incontinence.
Conclusions: In our view, the implanted urethral stent is a valid alternative when other techniques are not feasible or have failed (dilatation, internal urethrotomy, urethroplasty...), but we should not forget the long-term complications.