Preliminary Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of An Anti-Reflux Ureteral Stent With A Novel Device In A Swine Model

We aimed to determine the effectiveness of drainage potency and anti-reflux properties of a novel anti-reflux ureteral stent in pigs. Six pigs were randomly divided into two groups (group A and group B), and the ureters were bilaterally inserted with conventional stents and novel anti-reflux ureteral stents in the pig's ureters. Meanwhile, ureters without a stent placement were set as the control group (group C). For the detection of drainage potency and anti-reflux property, saline was injected into the bladder until the intravesical pressure reached 30 and 50 cm. The results suggested that the difference in drainage potency of group A and B was not statistically significant (P>0.05), however they were superior to that of group C (P<0.05). None of the conventional stents in group A prevented vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) (0%, 0/6), whereas the anti-reflux stents in group B displayed anti-reflux properties (100%, 6/6). The average ureteropelvic pressures in groups A, B, and C were 16.67 +/- 1.63 mmHg, 8.17 +/- 0.75 mmHg and 7.08 +/- 0.90 mmHg respectively; with significant differences among them (P<0.05). Collectively, the novel anti-reflux stent effectively prevented VUR compared with conventional stents without clear urinary obstruction in the animal.