Urethral prostheses. An overview

Abstract

The first report in Literature dealing with an endourethral prosthesis in the treatment of recurrent bulbar strictures dates back to 1988. Since then other prostheses with different design and materials have been proposed. The Urolume by A.M.S., the first ever, is used worldwide and its indications are better known due to a longer follow-up time. In 6 months epithelium covers the prosthesis and it is generally well tolerated, but some Authors do not agree with its use in the treatment of traumatic strictures. Titanium prostheses have been used in few cases. A temporary steel alloy prosthesis, the Urocoil, has been proposed recently. Not enough follow-up data are available about this and the new “thermic memory” prosthesis. The bigdegradable prosthesis, used till now only on rabbits, actually represents the new frontier in the treatment of urethral strictures.