Study Finds Cook Medical Resonance Metallic Ureteral Stent Provides 43 Percent Cost Savings

Presentation at 2009 AUA Conference Highlights Success of Stent in Cost-Effectively Treating Benign Ureteral Obstruction

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--The results of a 16-month clinical study showing that the Cook Medical Resonance Metallic Ureteral Stent could remain in a patient for up to 12 months; generating a 43 percent cost savings in treating benign ureteral obstruction, will be presented by Dr. Thomas M. Turk, a member of the study’s investigative team, during a press conference at the 2009 AUA Conference in Chicago on April 27. These results are compared to alternative polymer stent treatment methods which may require more frequent stent changes throughout the year.

The study, conducted by Hector L. Lopez- Huertas, M.D.; Anthony J. Polcari, M.D.; Alex Acosta-Miranda, M.D. and Dr. Turk at Loyola University Health System, evaluated the safety, efficacy and cost of two stent options for the management of benign ureteral obstruction: polymer or metallic stents. The study found the annual costs associated with the repeated stent changes required in patients with polymer stents were approximately $23,999 as compared to patients with a metallic stent that can remain in the patient for up to 12 months, costing approximately $13,605. Therefore, the Cook Resonance Metallic Ureteral Stent was associated with an average cost savings of $10,394, representing the 43 percent reduction per patient per year.

Full text >>