Prostakath in urinary outflow obstruction.

Prostatic stents are a new method in the treatment of urinary outflow obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this study the usefulness of the PROSTAKATH urospiral was evaluated in a multicenter study for treatment of urinary outflow obstruction. There were 87 males with problems related to urination. Sixty-eight patients had total retention. The mean functioning time of the spiral was nine (1-35) months. The outflow obstruction was cleared in 69 (81%) patients. During follow-up, 33 spirals (39%) were removed; 15 of them within a few days after insertion. Altogether, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was done on 22 patients, and transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) on four patients. Chronic urinary tract infection reduced significantly (P < 0.05) the functional time of the spiral; no other factors had influence on this variable. The spiral is a good alternative for treating urinary retention in patients waiting for prostatic surgery. The spiral may also be useful in the treatment of urinary obstruction caused by prostatic cancer. Recurrent vesical neck contracture can be prevented with the spiral. Entirely bedridden and demented patients do not benefit from this form of treatment.