Innovations in Ureteral Stent Technology

Ureteral stents are an indispensable tool in contemporary urologic patient care. They have become first-line devices for maintenance of ureteral patency postoperatively and in cases of ureteral narrowing. Despite their widespread use, these implants are associated with multiple complications including stent colic, infection, and encrustation. There is no ideal ureteric stent currently available. The aim of most recent stent innovation has been to make steps toward properties of an ideal stent. This article reviews recent technological advances in stent design and how they have attempted to tackle issues that urologists and patients face with ureteral stents.