Infectious complications associated with the use of temporary prostatic urethral stents in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Introduction: To examine the infectious outcomes after the insertion of the temporary prostatic urethral stent (TPUS) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. Material and methods: Between November 2007 and September 2012, ninety TPUS were used in 33 patients with BPH at our institution. All patients had negative urine cultures prior to the first stent insertion. TPUS were sent for cultures at time of removal or exchange. Stents were removed at the time of definite surgical intervention, at 4-6 weeks, or when patients elected another course of treatment. Colonization was defined as asymptomatic positive stent culture. Infection was defined as symptomatic positive stent culture requiring treatment. Infection and colonization rates are reported. Logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of infection at any point. Predictors examined were age, body mass index, history of prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, neurologic disorder, erectile dysfunction and the sequence of stent placement. Results: The majority of the subjects, 72% (24/33) had 1-2 stents, 9.0% (3/33) had 3-4 stents, 6.0% (2/33) had 5-6 stents, and 12% (4/33) of patients had more than 6 stents. From the 69 available culture results, the symptomatic infection rate was 16% (11/69) (95% CI: 8.2%-26.7%). The colonization rate was 58% (40/69) (95% CI: 45.5%-69.7%). None of the predictors examined were identified as a predictor of infection. There was no colonization detected when stents were removed in the first 20 days. Conclusion: Infection rates with TPUS in BPH patients are acceptable and early removal may prevent colonization.