Urologists have long used urinary stents in patients who have - or who are at
risk of developing - an obstruction or blockage of the kidney. These rodlike
devices are inserted into the ureter to keep the canal open or to help with
healing after trauma, surgery or radiotherapy. More recently the use of stents
for the prostate and urethra has also become more widespread, despite poor
results in first generation models. Constant development has led to the
introduction of second generation stents with a variety of designs, materials
and coatings. These have gone a long way to counter the traditional side effects
such as irritation, hematuria,