Urinary Tract Infection as a Potential Cause of Urethral Obstruction in Patients with an Indwelling Allium® Bulbar Urethral Stent

Abstract

Objective: Urethral obstruction is a clinically relevant complication of retrievable urethral stents. This study aimed to evaluate the association between stent-related urinary tract infection (UTI) and urethral obstruction in patients treated with an Allium® bulbar urethral stent (BUS).

Methods: Ninety-nine patients who underwent Allium® BUS placement for recurrent bulbar urethral stricture were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed monthly with uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine measurement, and quantitative urine culture. In cases of stent removal, both urine and stent cultures were obtained and analyzed.

Results: Premature stent removal due to urethral obstruction was required in 14 of 99 patients (14.1%). Urine cultures were positive in 12 of these 14 patients (85.7%), with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis being the most frequently isolated organisms. Stent cultures were positive in 12 of these 14 patients (85.7%), demonstrating similar pathogens, including Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis. In patients whose stents were removed on time or due to other complications without obstruction, positive urine and stent cultures were observed in 6.1% and 1.5% of cases, respectively. The rate of positive urine cultures was significantly higher in patients with urethral obstruction (P < .01).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that urethral obstruction in patients with an indwelling Allium® BUS is more likely related to UTI rather than mechanical stent failure.

Cite this article as: Yavuz U, Çiftçi S, Telli E, Nemut T, Çulha MM. Urinary tract infection as a potential cause of urethral obstruction in patients with an Indwelling Allium® bulbar urethral stent. Urol Res Pract. 2026, 52, 0004, doi: 10.5152/tud.2026.26004.