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Biomedical subjects

M Talja

Publications and source records attributed to M Talja.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The effect of photodynamic therapy on rat urinary bladder with orthotopic urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of whole-bladder photodynamic therapy (PDT) on a rat model with orthotopic superficial bladder cancer, as PDT is an alternative intravesical therapy for treating superficial bladder cancer, based on an interaction between a photosensitizer and light energy to induce oxygen radicals that destroy tissue by lipid peroxidation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 76 female Fischer F344 rats were inoculated intravesically with AY-27 tumour cells. After establishing superficial tumour, 24 rats were treated with PDT using aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX as a photosensitizer, and a continuous-wave argon pumped-dye laser (638 nm). At 4 h after intravenous (300 mg/kg) or intravesical (100 mg/mL) administration of ALA the bladders were intravesically exposed to a 40 J/cm(2) light dose; 12 rats received no ALA but were exposed to the same light dose. Before administering ALA, urine cytology samples were taken for analysis. At 3 or 21 days the treated rats were killed and morphological changes in the bladder walls analysed by light microscopy. Forty rats served as controls to examine the presence of tumour. RESULTS: The tumour established in 33 of 40 rats (83%) in the controls, but after PDT with intravesical ALA there was carcinoma in only in one of 12 (P < 0.001, Pearson's chi(2) test). After PDT with intravenous ALA there was carcinoma in five of 11 rats (P = 0.063, Pearson's chi2 test). In the control group of 12 rats receiving only light energy there was carcinoma in three (P = 0.001, Pearson's chi(2) test). Histologically, at 3 days after PDT there was only mild superficial damage in all six rats treated intravesically. Bladder wall destruction reached the muscular layer, with an abscess in one of six rats treated intravenously. After 3 weeks of PDT there was muscular necrosis with perforation and abscess from catheterization two of six rats treated intravesically and in three the bladder wall totally recovered. In the intravenous group the bladder walls were normal or had only mild superficial damage. Cytology of the urine sediment failed to detect half the tumours in the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: These results support the use of PDT with intravesical ALA-induced protoporphyrin X for treating superficial bladder carcinoma. Intravesical was better than intravenous ALA in eradicating bladder carcinoma with PDT.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed2002

Viscoelastic memory and self-expansion of self-reinforced bioabsorbable stents.

The possibility to decide the speed and rate of expansion of stents is of great clinical importance by reason of the varying requirements for different indications to use stents. Self-reinforced bioabsorbable stents can be made self-expanding owing to the viscoelastic memory of the material. Stents are stable at room temperature and expansion occurs at body temperature. The level at which the expansion stops depends on the material, crystallinity, initial diameter of spira and annealing temperature. The expansion rate can be estimated by logarithmic equation, if material, draw ratio and diameter of stent wire are constant. This is, however, possible only if processing parameters are constant. Based on the present results annealing temperature and expansion time were seen to be directly proportional to the expansion rate of the stent.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A bioabsorbable self-expandable, self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid urethral stent for recurrent urethral strictures: long-term results.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Biodegradable urethral stents have been used clinically for some years mainly in order to prevent postoperative urinary retention after minimally invasive thermotreatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We previously reported a 15-month-follow-up pilot study of a bioabsorbable self-expandable, self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) urethral stent in combination with optical urethrotomy in the treatment of recurrent urethral strictures. The present aim was to evaluate the long-term results of this new treatment modality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 22 patients with severe urethral strictures (mean number of earlier urethrotomies 2.5) were involved. An SR-PLLA spiral stent with a bioabsorption time of 10 to 12 months was inserted into the urethra at the stricture site immediately after optical urethrotomy. Uroflowmetry, measurement of postvoiding residual urine, urine culture, and urethroscopy were performed preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months and then every 3 months up to 12 months, with subsequent follow-up visits every 6 months. The mean follow-up was 46 months. RESULTS: The treatment was successful in 8 of the 22 patients (36%). Six recurrences were found within the stented area and 15 outside. Patients with failure have since been treated with several urethrotomies and repeat self-dilatations or free skin urethroplasties. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the use of a bioabsorbable SR-PLLA urethral stent for the treatment of recurrent strictures were encouraging. Without this additional therapy, the recurrence rate of strictures might have been much higher. The main problem was sudden collapse of the stent, possibly induced by outer compression. A new generation of bioabsorbable stents is already under development.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2001

Effect of photodynamic therapy on urinary bladder function: an experimental study with rats.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) produces localized necrosis with light after prior administration of a photosensitizing drug. The problems with laser light dosimetry and complications relating to bladder function appear to be important limiting factors of PDT in urology. Photodynamic therapy on urinary bladder with normal epithelium of rats was performed using an argon ion laser as an energy source, with aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) photosensitizer. Four hours after ALA intravenous administration, the bladders were intravesically radiated with light doses 20, 40, or 80 J/cm2. Animals in the control group did not receive ALA and were radiated with 20 J/cm2 light dose. Three weeks prior to PDT, the bladder capacity and pressure changes during filling cystometry were assessed. Cystometrics were repeated 1, 3, 7, or 21 days after laser therapy. The light dose 20 J/cm2 and 40 J/cm2 together with the used ALA dose caused no reduction in bladder capacity, whereas 80 J/cm2 light dose produced up to 50% reduction in the capacity at 3 weeks postoperatively. In control group without ALA, the animals did not regain more than 34% of the capacity of their control values at 3 weeks. The light dose of 20 J/cm2 and 40 J/cm2 with ALA induced functional changes that subsided after day 1. Our results indicate that with proper dosing of photosensitizing drug and light energy, the functional impairment of urinary bladder may be reduced as transient. These findings support the use of PDT as safe therapy of superficial bladder cancer.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Biocompatibility of silver nitrate and ofloxacine coated bioabsorbable SR-PLLA rods.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of silver nitrate and ofloxacine coatings of bioresorbable self-reinforced poly-L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) rods. SR-PLLA rods coated with pure poly(caprolactone-co-L-lactide) or blended with silver nitrate (10, 5 or 2 weight-%) or ofloxacine (5 or 2 weight-%) were implanted in the dorsal muscles of 25 male rabbits. Tissue reactions caused by implantation trauma were seen 1 week after implantation. The positive control and 10 w-% silver nitrate coating showed the most marked reactions 1 month after implantation. Only sparse reactions were seen 6 months after implantation. Tissue reactions were scored semi-quantitatively. As a result of this study, we concluded that silver nitrate or ofloxacine coatings up to five w-% did not alter the good biocompatibility of SR-PLLA essentially. The method may lead to the possibility of preventing bacterial adhesion to urological stents during insertion.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2001

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study to investigate the effects of finasteride combined with a biodegradable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid spiral stent in patients with urinary retention caused by bladder outlet obstruction from benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patients in acute urinary retention from benign prostatic enlargement can be treated with a combined therapy comprising finasteride and a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) urethral stent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients in acute urinary retention were treated as outpatients; they had a suprapubic catheter inserted and the SR-PLLA stent placed cystoscopically. After 2 weeks the patients were randomized to receive either finasteride 5 mg daily or placebo. They were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 18 months for maximum urinary flow rate, prostate volume and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). RESULTS: Nineteen patients completed the study while 36 discontinued. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean maximum flow rate, and a statistically significant decrease in the prostatic volume and serum PSA in the finasteride group. The same number of patients discontinued in both groups; the major reason for discontinuation was insufficient therapeutic response. CONCLUSIONS: The major problems were discontinuation of treatment because the response to therapy was insufficient, and uncontrolled breakdown of the spiral stent. To solve these problems, new configurations of bioabsorbable stents are needed.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2001

Hydrophilic versus non-coated catheters for intermittent catheterization.

Since Lapides reintroduced clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) in 1972, this procedure has been used routinely in individualized programmes for bladder evacuation in various bladder disorders. It has been suggested that in clinical practice hydrophilic catheters are preferable to non-coated catheters. In reviewing the literature on CIC, many of the reports were found to rely on data from non-randomized retrospective studies. In some recent prospective studies, involving a limited number of patients, hydrophilic and non-coated catheters have been evaluated and compared, especially with regard to bacteriuria and urethral irritation. The available data indicate that using hydrophilic catheters for CIC may induce lower rates of bacteriuria and long-term urethral complications such as urethral strictures. However, to reach a reliable conclusion about the supposed advantage of the hydrophilic catheters, there is a need for a prospective, randomized long-term multicentre study. It is important in such a study to define patient characteristics including age, gender, diagnosis of bladder dysfunction, reason for CIC, physical and mental handicap, manual dexterity and previous treatments. Effect parameters should include number of catheterizations, urinary tract infection, early and long-term urethral complications, patient satisfaction, preferences and dropout rates. It is obligatory to include factors such as cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Effect of intravesical instillations on the human complement factor H related protein (BTA stat) test.

OBJECTIVES: The BTA stat is a rapid, non-invasive, qualitative urine test that detects bladder tumor-associated antigen (human complement factor H related protein) in urine. The sensitivity of this test is superior to that of urine cytology in detecting primary and recurrent tumors of the urinary bladder. Intravesical instillations are widely used to avoid recurrences and even progression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravesical treatments on the BTA stat Test. METHODS: 501 consecutive patients followed up for bladder cancer were studied, of which 490 were eligible for analysis. Three hundred and twenty-seven (66.7%) of the patients had no history of intravesical treatments, whereas the remaining 163 (33.3%) had received treatments: 66 (40.5%) at the time of evaluation. A voided urine sample was obtained prior to cystoscopy and split for culture and BTA stat testing. The overall sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared to the patients with no, past and present instillations. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity for the BTA stat Test was 56.6%, and the specificity was 76.4%. The specificity of the BTA stat Test was 80.7, 70.7 and 65.3% in those with no, past or present intravesical instillation treatments, respectively. The difference in specificity between those with no and present instillations was significant (p = 0.023), whereas the notable difference between those with no and past instillations did not reach significance (p = 0.076), nor was the difference between patients with past and present instillations significant (p = 0.558). Present instillation of mitomycin C had the strongest adverse effect on the test as the specificity was only 25.0%, whereas past treatment did not interfere with testing. The adverse effect of BCG treatment on testing extended. CONCLUSION: The overall specificity of the test is decreased in patients receiving intravesical treatments, whereas past treatments did not interfere with testing in general. However, the adverse effect of BCG on testing seems to extend, and therefore it is suggested that the BTA stat Test should not be used in patients having received BCG, and in those with present instillation of any type.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

Expansion and bioabsorption of the self-reinforced lactic and glycolic acid copolymer prostatic spiral stent.

PURPOSE: Self-reinforced bioabsorbable stents can be made self-expanding due to the viscoelastic memory of the oriented bioabsorbable materials. A new self-expandable self-reinforced copolymer of lactic/glycolic acid, lactic/glycolic molar ratio 80:20 stent was developed to prevent postoperative urinary retention after procedures that induced prostatic edema. In in vitro experiments the expansion rate has been up to 100% during the first few hours at body temperature. We investigated the expansion rate and biodegradation of the self-reinforced lactic and glycolic acid copolymer prostatic spiral stent in vivo in the prostatic urethra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 39 men, 52 to 84 years old, with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement underwent interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate. A self-reinforced copolymer of lactic/glycolic acid, lactic/glycolic molar ratio 80/20 stent was inserted into the prostatic urethra at the end of the operation. The stent lumen diameter was 4.5 mm. The location and diameter of the lumen and degradation of the stent were studied with transrectal ultrasound at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months postoperatively. At 6 months patients underwent cystoscopy. RESULTS: All except 1 patient voided on postoperative day 1. Mean lumen diameter was 7.4 mm. (range 6.2 to 8.2) at 1 month and 7.2 mm (range 6.2 to 7.5) at 2 months. At 4 months the stent was degraded into small pieces. No pieces of stent were found in the prostatic urethra on ultrasound or cystoscopy at 6 months. However, a portion of the spiral stent was found at the bottom of the bladder in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The speed and expansion rate of the self-reinforced copolymer of lactic/glycolic acid, lactic/glycolic molar ratio 80/20 stent was sufficient to lock the stent in place and ensure voiding in cases of edema induced bladder outlet obstruction. Strength retention greater than 2 months was long enough to avoid later impairments of voiding.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2001

Long-term use of tamsulosin to treat lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: The long-term efficacy and safety of 0.4 mg. tamsulosin once daily were assessed in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia treated for up to 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 516 patients were enrolled from 2 European open label studies that were extensions of 3 double-blind controlled studies. RESULTS: Significant improvement in maximum urine flow and total Boyarsky symptom score during the controlled trials was sustained throughout the extension study for up to 4 years in patients who remained on therapy. The increase in mean maximum urine flow from baseline was 1.2 to 2.2 ml. per second (p <0.001) and it remained 11.5 to 12 ml. per second during followup. Total Boyarsky symptom score was decreased from baseline by 4.1 to 4.7 points (p <0.001). The incidence of treatment responders, defined as a 25% or greater decrease in total symptom score, remained stable throughout the 4-year period. Increasing the dose of tamsulosin from 0.4 to 0.8 mg. seemed to have no substantial additional benefit. During the 4 years of treatment 26% of patients had side effects that were considered possibly or probably drug related. However, only 5% of patients discontinued treatment because of drug related side effects. No clinically significant changes in blood pressure or pulse rate occurred during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with tamsulosin is safe and well tolerated in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia. Improved efficacy was sustained during 4 years of followup.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed2000

Bacterial adherence to silver nitrate coated poly-L-lactic acid urological stents in vitro.

The purpose of this study was to see whether it is possible to prevent bacterial adherence to bioabsorbable self-reinforced L-lactic acid polymer (SR-PLLA) urological stents. The SR-PLLA stents were coated with silver nitrate blended epsilon-caprolactone/L-lactide copolymer. The adherence of five bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and two strains of Escherichia coli) to coated and non-coated SR-PLLA wires were tested. It was found that silver nitrate coating prevented the adherence of bacteria (except E. faecalis) to SR-PLLA stents. The preventive effect correlated with the silver nitrate concentration. It was also found that silver nitrate coating reduced the amount of bacteria in ambient urine. In conclusion, silver nitrate coating may reduce stent-associated bacterial infections by preventing the adherence of bacteria. Further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in clinical practice.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2000

A pilot study of a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid urethral stent combined with finasteride in the treatment of acute urinary retention from benign prostatic enlargement.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patients with acute urinary retention from benign prostatic enlargement can be treated with a combined therapy comprising a bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly L-lactic acid (SR-PLLA) urethral stent and finasteride. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven men in acute urinary retention were treated as outpatients; they had a suprapubic catheter inserted and the SR-PLLA stent placed cystoscopically. The patients were allowed to attempt to void spontaneously after 2 days. RESULTS: All patients started to void spontaneously within 2 weeks. There was a steady improvement in urinary flow rates up to 9 months, followed by a slight impairment after the bioabsorption of the stent. During the mean (range) follow-up of 24 (23-26) months only three patients required surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: The bioabsorbable SR-PLLA stent combined with finasteride therapy provides a promising new alternative in the treatment of acute urinary retention, especially in patients unfit for surgical therapy. Larger, placebo-controlled studies are needed to establish the efficacy of this combined therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

The morphological changes in rat bladder after photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the optimum light energy needed to induce only superficial bladder wall damage during photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a treatment for bladder cancer. Materials and methods The urinary bladder (with normal epithelium) of 64 female rats was treated with PDT using a continuous-wave argon-ion laser as an energy source and aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX photosensitizer. Four hours after the intravenous administration of ALA (300 mg/kg) the bladders were intravesically exposed to light fluences of 20-80 J/cm2. The control rats received no ALA and were exposed to 20 J/cm2 light. After 1, 3, 7 and 21 days the animals were killed and the morphological changes in bladder wall analysed both macroscopically and using light and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: At the dose of ALA given, a fluence of 20-40 J/cm2 caused mainly superficial damage, whereas 80 J/cm2 produced full-thickness injuries to the bladder wall. The maximum effect of PDT occurred after 1 and 3 days of irradiation. After 3 weeks of PDT the histology showed few full-thickness injuries and only in those treated with 80 J/cm2 light. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that PDT can be used to safely induce a selective superficial removal of bladder mucosa with no fibrotic effects on detrusor musculature, when optimum photosensitizing drug and fluences are used. These findings support the use of PDT in the therapy of superficial bladder cancer.

Aminolevulinic Acid↗
PubMed2000

Bacterial adherence to ofloxacin-blended polylactone-coated self-reinforced L-lactic acid polymer urological stents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ofloxacin coating has any effect on bacterial adherence to bioresorbable self-reinforced L-lactic acid polymer (SR-PLLA) urological stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SR-PLLA stents were coated with epsilon-caprolactone/L-lactide copolymer blended with ofloxacin at three different concentrations of ofloxacin (0.5, 2 and 5% w/w). The adherence of five bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and two strains of Escherichia coli) to the coated SR-PLLA stents was analysed. Uncoated stent pieces were used as controls. The effect of ofloxacin coating on bacterial growth in the microenvironment of the stent pieces was also analysed. RESULTS: Ofloxacin coating prevented bacterial adherence to SR-PLLA stent material; this effect correlated significantly with the ofloxacin concentration of the caprolactone coating. Ofloxacin coating reduced the amount of bacteria in the microenvironment of the stent, but because of natural resistance, ofloxacin coating had little effect on E. faecalis. CONCLUSION: Except for E. faecalis, ofloxacin coating may reduce stent-associated infections. However, further studies are needed to confirm its biocompatibility and efficacy in clinical use.

Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗
PubMed2000

A randomised study to evaluate the efficacy of a biodegradable stent in the prevention of postoperative urinary retention after interstitial laser coagulation of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: Interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) of the prostate induces necrosis, oedema and increased risk for postoperative urinary retention. The present randomized study was carried out to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a biodegradable self-reinforced polyglycolic acid (SR-PGA) stent in preventing postoperative urinary retention and the need for prolonged catheterization after ILC treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 35 males with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) entered the study: 21 in the ILC + stent group and 14 in the ILC group without a stent. A suprapubic catheter was inserted for all patients and ILC was performed. The SR-PGA stent was inserted immediately after laser therapy in the stent group and kept open until the next morning when it was closed and the patient started trying to void. The suprapubic catheter was removed after voiding had started and the urinary bladder emptied adequately. RESULTS: In the ILC + stent group voiding started on the first postoperative day in 17 patients and on the second day in 2 patients. Voiding was delayed in 2 cases: in 1 case due to inadequate length of the stent and in the other as a result of the stent placement being too proximal. There was 1 case of urinary retention due to early degradation of the stent. In the ILC-only group voiding started on average 6.1 days postoperatively. At 1 month follow-up, the mean peak urinary flow rate had increased significantly in the ILC + stent group (p < 0.05) but not in the ILC-only group (p = 0.26). Improvements in symptom scores were significant in both groups (p < 0.005) but in terms of the mean peak urinary flow rates at 6 months follow-up the improvement was significant only in the stent group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a SR-PGA stent enabled early voiding and is safe and effective in the treatment of postoperative urinary retention after ILC. The 3-4 week degradation time of the SR-PGA stent was too short for some patients. There is still a need for further development work to improve the stents and larger controlled studies to show the true value of biodegradable stents in the treatment of BPE.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Endoscopic urethroplasty with a free graft on a biodegradable polyglycolic acid spiral stent. A new technique.

OBJECTIVES: Explore the possibility of an endoscopic urethroplasty with a free graft on a biodegradable, self-reinforced polyglycolic acid spiral stent. METHODS: Urethral strictures, failures of previous urethrotomies, which still can be incised endoscopically are selected. Strong fibrotic strictures which are bad indications for the use of a free graft are excluded. A free graft (skin on mucosa) is sutured around the stent and brought at the place of the endoscopically opened stricture where the graft is fixed with a suture through skin, bulbar muscles and spongiosum. A suprapubic diversion is left for 10 days. The stent keeps the graft in contact with surrounding well vascularized tissue where it can take. Other parts of the graft become necrotic. The stent hydrolyses in about 3 weeks. MATERIAL AND RESULTS: 10 patients with bulbar strictures from 2 to 4 cm in length and failed previous urethrotomies were treated successfully with this technique. The follow-up varies from 39 to 3 months (mean: 21 months). After 2 years 1 stricture recurred in a man who underwent regular endoscopies for recurrent bladder tumors. All other patients were successful until now. One stent got lost in the bladder during the procedure but could be brought at the right place. Other complications were 1 hematuria, 1 urosepsis, 1 perineal pain, 1 painful evacuation of a part of the stent 16 days after operation, and 1 difficult micturition. CONCLUSION: The preliminary experiences indicate that this technique is a possible treatment of short bulbar strictures after failure of endoscopic treatment.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2000

The morphological, in situ effects of a self-reinforced bioabsorbable polylactide (SR-PLA 96) ureteric stent; an experimental study.

PURPOSE: The present study was done to evaluate the biocompatibility of a new biodegradable double helical spiral self-reinforced poly-L, D-lactide copolymer (L/D ratio 96/4, SR-PLA96) ureteric stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In sixteen dogs, the right ureter was cut transversally, sutured and stented with a 50 mm. long SR-PLA 96 stent. In eight dogs, left ureter was similarly operated and stented with a double-J pigtail stent (C-Flex, Cook Urological Inc.), while eight remaining ureters served as plain controls. Urine was analyzed for signs of infection. The dogs were terminated at 6, 12 and 24 weeks postoperatively and the ureters dissected to find persistent SR-PLA 96 particles or local ureteric changes. Histologic samples were taken at three levels of dissected ureters in contact with the stent. RESULTS: C-Flex and SR-PLA 96 materials were well tolerated. Both of these induced only minimal ureteral wall edema, epithelial hyperplasia, epithelial destruction and inflammatory cell reaction. In SR-PLA 96 stented ureters the tissue reaction subsided after the degradation of the device. CONCLUSIONS: SR-PLA 96 spiral stent is regarded highly compatible and SR-PLA 96 might be a suitable material for a partial ureteric stent. Biodegradation of a SR-PLA 96 stent makes stent removal unnecessary.

Absorbable Implants↗