862 DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A NOVEL GEL-BASED URETERAL STENT WITH BIOFILM RESISTANT CHARACTERISTICS

You have accessJournal of UrologyTechnology & Instruments: Surgical Education & Skills Assessment/Ureteroscopy I1 Apr 2012862 DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A NOVEL GEL-BASED URETERAL STENT WITH BIOFILM RESISTANT CHARACTERISTICS Brian M. Rosman, Joao A. Barbosa, Marc Cendron, Alan B. Retik, Hiep T. Nguyen, and Bartley G. Cilento Brian M. RosmanBrian M. Rosman Boston, MA More articles by this author , Joao A. BarbosaJoao A. Barbosa Boston, MA More articles by this author , Marc CendronMarc Cendron Boston, MA More articles by this author , Alan B. RetikAlan B. Retik Boston, MA More articles by this author , Hiep T. NguyenHiep T. Nguyen Boston, MA More articles by this author , and Bartley G. CilentoBartley G. Cilento Boston, MA More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.955AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Ureteral stents are utilized following surgery in order to ensure the patency of the ureter. Current stents, while effective at maintaining a ureteral lumen, are both a cause of discomfort for the patient and a substrate for bacterial growth. This increased propensity for biofilm formation can be a nidus for growth leading to infection, and a reason for early removal of a stent before it is clinically indicated. A new stent material, composed of a highly hydrated partially hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, is believed to have antibacterial properties. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biofilm growth and antibacterial properties of this novel stent. METHODS Sections of the experimental and conventional (control) stent (polymer stent, Boston Scientific, Natick MA) were incubated for 3 days in the following: Soy Trypticase broth (“broth”), broth and sterile urine, and broth and swine blood. After the incubation period, 5mL of broth laden with J96 human pathogenic E.Coli (OD 0.6-0.7 relative to sterile broth) was added to each vial. One segment of the control and experimental stents were removed at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days. At each time point, the stents were washed in sterile saline to remove any bacteria laden fluid, leaving only the biofilm. After 4 successive washes, the stents were sonicated in an ultrasonic bath to break up any biofilm present. The solution was diluted and plated on permissive media. Subsequent quantification of bacterial growth by CFU counts provides a direct assessment of the biofilm growth. Incubated stents were sent for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging to confirm biofilm formation. RESULTS Experimental stents demonstrated significant reductions in bacterial counts when compared to control stents in all conditions tested: in broth (100 to 1000 fold reduction); in broth + urine (10 to 100-fold reduction); and broth + blood (10 to 100 fold reduction). SEM imaging demonstrated biofilm formation on both types of stents in all media, with a relative reduction in apparent cell debris and bacteria on the experimental stent. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the gel based stent shows a demonstrable reduction in bacterial counts and biofilm formation. The use of this novel stent may reduce the risk of infection associated with stent usage, avoiding the need for prophylactic antibiotics. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e352 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Brian M. Rosman Boston, MA More articles by this author Joao A. Barbosa Boston, MA More articles by this author Marc Cendron Boston, MA More articles by this author Alan B. Retik Boston, MA More articles by this author Hiep T. Nguyen Boston, MA More articles by this author Bartley G. Cilento Boston, MA More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...