RETURNYonago Acta medica 1992;35:209–216
Experimental Study of Intra-Urethral Placement of Expendable Metallic Stents
Yoshio Fujihara, Satoshi Sawada and Yoshio Tanabe
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683, Japan
Various types of Gianturco expandable metallic stents were implanted into the urethra of dogs to determine the optimal expandability of the stents in the urethra by examining the effect of these stents on the urethra wall. The stents, 1.5 cm long and made of 0.010-inch stainless steel wire with 12 zigzag bends (6 leg pairs), proved to be suitable for the canine urethra. The urethra remained patent and only mild inflammation on the urethral wall was observed histopathologically. Neither hematuria nor calcification around the stents placed within the urethra was noted in any dog. The experimental data seemed to provide a potential clinical application.
Key words: expandable metallic stent; interventional radiology; urethra