Evaluation in an Animal Model of a Hybrid Covered Metallic Ureteral Stent: A New Design

ObjectiveTo evaluate a new design for a hybrid, dynamic, metallic ureteral stent that might avoid the formation of urothelial hyperplasia after ureteral metallic stenting in an experimental study.Materials and MethodsA total of 30 healthy female pigs were included in the present study, and an experimental obstructive uropathy in the right lumbar ureter was created in each pig. Obstruction was confirmed using percutaneous ultrasonography and retrograde ureteral pyelography and endoluminal ultrasonography 6 weeks after obstructive uropathy model creation. Then, the pigs were randomly distributed into 2 groups. Group 1 underwent standard metallic ureteral self-expanding internally covered stent deployment. Group 2 received a new hybrid metallic ureteral self-expanding internally covered stent. The follow-up period was 6 months.ResultsThe hybrid metallic ureteral self-expanding internally covered stent group had a lower rate of urothelial hyperplasia (21% vs 70%), reduced stent migration (6.6% vs 33.3%), and a greater success rate after 6 months of follow-up (86.6% vs 47%) compared with the standard metallic ureteral self-expanding internally covered stent deployment group, with statically significant differences between the 2 groups.ConclusionOur experimental results have indicated that the use of the hybrid metallic ureteral self-expanding internally covered stent in ureteral strictures is feasible, safe, and effective and reduces the formation of urothelial hyperplasia without secondary interventions to maintain ureteral patency.