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What is a temporary prostatic stent?
Prostatic stent (EXIME, Rocamed) is a small silicone device placed internally in your urethra (water pipe) to allow for you to pass urine voluntarily and it can be replaced easily every 12 weeks.
Benefits of the prostatic stent
- Can be placed and removed easily under local anaesthetic gel (much the same as urinary catheter)
- It is temporary for 12 weeks and can be replaced easily
- Allows for voluntary urination with no catheter tubes sticking out from penis or any need for urine bag
- No urinary bladder spasms
- Less catheter associated urinary tract infection
- No blockages of catheter that required frequent replacements
- Allows sexual activities to be resumed
Pre procedure assessment
Patients will have to be assessed for suitability of stent:-
Have urinary retention which required a urinary catheter, failed Trial without catheter or on clean intermittent self catheterization; post surgery (eg REZUM); on long term catheter
Assessment of your bladder/prostate/urethra will be made with a flexible cystoscopy and transrectal ultrasound guided prostate volume measurement
Questionnaires regarding your urinary symptoms/quality of life will be collected prior to insertion of stent and also post insertion to enhance our understanding on patients’ quality of life with stent
Contraindications for the prostatic stent
1. Very enlarged prostate >150cc or very long prostate
2. Active urinary tract infection
3. Blood in urine with clots causing urinary retention
4. Urethral stricture, bladder neck contractures, false passages in urethra
5. Known neuropathic /acontractile bladder
6. Known or suspected prostate cancer
7. Urinary stress incontinence due to sphincter insufficiency
How is the prostatic stent inserted?
You will not need to be fasting for this procedure as it will be done under local anaesthesia
Procedure will usually take a few minutes with you lying flat on your back
After the genitalia region is cleaned and draped, local anaesthetic gel will be inserted into your urethra to numb the area to allow for insertion
A plastic dilator will be inserted to dilate and assess placement
Dilator then removed and stent inserted
Once stent inserted, there is a small short suture string (1cm) from your eye of the penis (which will not interfere)
You will be asked to urinate post stent insertion
You will be given a card with stent information which you could carry on you.
What are the potential side effects from the stent?
- Mild pain or discomfort initially
- Some blood in the urine which will stop spontaneously
- Urinary incontinence which will subside
- Urinary frequency and urgency which is self limiting
- Inability to pass urine/ urinary retention; if this occurs please go to the nearest Emergency department and show your EXIME card
What should I do when I get home?
- Avoid strenuous activities/exercise for next couple of days
- Drink enough fluids to maintain hydration
- Can take some mild analgesics for pain control if necessary
- Resume your normal activities following the procedure
When do I need to get back to hospital (removal or change of stent)?
For removal of stent, you will be asked to come to hospital for the simple removal under local anesthesia
For change of stent, you will be required to come back to hospital within 8 to 12 weeks post insertion. This is done the same way as the initial insertion with the old stent removed and new stent placed in same setting. You will be given another date to return for the next change of stent.
Hospital Contacts
If you have any further concerns or queries then please don’t hesitate to contact the Urology Nurse Specialists. Please leave your name, hospital number or date of birth and contact telephone number that your call can be return on.
Jane Miles 01276 604290
Email jane.
Snoby Cibi 07853023596
Email snoby.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Urology service.
About this information
Service:
Urology
Reference:
Z/036
Approval date:
11 May 2026
Review date:
1 May 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.