Transurethral
placement of the UroLume® Urethral Stent is a minimally invasive
procedure that can typically be performed within 10-30 minutes.
Caution:
This information is for educational purposes only. See
the Operating Room manuals, Instructions for Use and
procedural videos for more detailed instructions about this procedure.
Instrumentation The
UroLume stent is delivered sterile and preloaded in a disposable
delivery tool. The delivery instrument has an inner lumen to receive a
standard, 12Fr optical telescope (cystoscope) for direct visualization
of the stent and the urethra throughout the procedure. The irrigation
port permits a constant washing of the urethra and telescope to allow
for better visualization.
The delivery instrument features a
retractable sheath. By manipulating the finger grips, you are able to
draw back and advance the sheath until you find the optimum position for
deployment.
To prevent inadvertent release of the stent during the procedure, the delivery instrument is equipped with two security buttons.
The rounded, 24Fr collar at the tip of the delivery tool eases insertion into the urethra.
Instrumentation for the procedure includes:
- Urethral sounds
- A 12Fr optic telescope (0-12 degrees for stricture)
- An irrigation setup
- Cystoscope
- AMS Urethral Measuring Catheter or a graduated ureteric catheter
- UroLume stent kits (at least two of each size)
Procedure Overview Typical patient preparation
includes preoperative antibiotics, placing the patient in the lithotomy
position, skin prep and drape and anesthesia. Anesthesia varies
according to the disease being treated. For stricture, use anesthesia as
you would for urethrotomy and dilation.
The placement procedure consists of these steps:
Step 1: Cystourethroscopy To
prepare for placement of the UroLume stent, perform a diagnostic
cystourethroscopy. If it is not possible to pass a cystoscope through
the strictured portion of the urethra, dilate the stricture or perform
urethrotomy to allow the instrument to pass.
Step 2: Measurement Use
an AMS Urethral Measuring Catheter or a graduated ureteric catheter to
take the appropriate measurements. In a stricture patient, measure the
length of the stricture.
Step 3: Stent Selection The
method for selecting the correct size varies according to the disease.
For stricture, select a stent that is 1.0 cm longer than the measured
length of the stricture.
Example:
| 3.5 |
= measured length of prostatic urethra |
| -0.5 |
|
| 3.0 |
= required length of stent |
Step 4: Delivery Tool Preparation Open the selected UroLume package and prepare the deployment system for the procedure:
- Attach the light source to the telescope.
- Attach the water source to the irrigation port on the delivery instrument.
- Insert the telescope into the telescope stabilizer and then place the stabilizer into the delivery instrument.
- Apply a small amount of sterile lubricant over the outer shaft to facilitate passage into the urethra.
Step 5: Stent Placement
- Dilate the meatus to at least 24Fr and insert the delivery instrument into the urethra.
- Position the delivery instrument so that its rounded collar is
in the correct location. For strictures, this is about 5 mm proximal to
the stricture.
- Partially deploy the stent and reposition it if necessary.
- Release the stent.
- Withdraw the delivery tool.
Some important points about stent placement for stricture patients:
- During placement, overlap the stricture by at least 5 mm on each
end. The stricture must be completely covered to prevent recurrence of
the stricture formation.
- The stent should not be placed in the penoscrotal junction, which causes patient discomfort.
- To prevent patient incontinence, do not place the stent within 1.0 cm of the external sphincter.
- If more than one stent is required to adequately cover the
strictured area, the first stent placed should cover the most proximal
end of the stricture. The stents should overlap by at least 5 mm.
Step 6: Endoscopy Proceeding with care, perform normal endoscopy.
Post-Operative Care Routine
post-procedural care should include prophylactic antibiotics. Do not
use a urethral catheter and do not perform a cystoscope for eight weeks
until the stent is stabilized by urothelial ingrowth. Additionally,
patients should be counseled to avoid activities that place abnormal
forces upon the urethra, such as frequent cycling or horseback riding. |