Resonance^® metallic stent in patients with ureterocutaneostomies

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of Resonance^® stents in patients with ureterocutaneostomies (UCS). Materials and methods: We retrospectively enrolled all patients with UCS who presented with impaired ureteral drainage with traditional polymeric ureteral prosthesis. Preoperative and follow-up (1, 3, 6, 12 months) workup, after Resonance^® placement, included: medical history, physical examination, serum laboratory tests, urinalysis, urine culture and urinary tract imaging by ultrasound, administration of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30) and an evaluation of patients’ satisfaction rate. In addition, the number of emergency department patient admissions and hospitalizations occurred 1 year before and after the stent Resonance^® placement was noted. Results: Twenty-five renal units in 14 patients with UCS were included. Statistically significant improvements in creatinine serum levels, patients’ satisfaction rate, hydronephrosis and number of urinary tract infections (UTI) were found at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up compared to baseline. Statistically significant differences in EORTC QLQ-C30 were detected only in Emotional, Social and Global QoL domains before and after Resonance^® placement (p < 0.0001). At inclusion, a total of 39 referrals to ED were recorded; at 1-year follow-up, only five cases of ED presentations have been recorded (p < 0.01). At the same endpoints, the number of hospitalizations was 18 and 2, respectively (p < 0.05). Failure rate was 8.3 %. Conclusion: At 1-year follow-up, Resonance^® stents are effective and safe in patients with UCS refractory to polymeric ureteral prosthesis, reporting evidence for significant improvements in hydronephrosis rate, renal function, UTI, and patients’ satisfaction rate and QoL.