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

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 12 May 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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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.

The researchers reviewed data for 13 patients who underwent metallic ureteral stent placements from July 2007 through November 2008. These patients were all previously treated with polymer stents. The cost of stent maintenance for a 12-month interval using both polymer and metallic stents was then calculated for each patient. This was done by multiplying the number of stent changes required during the year prior to the metallic stent placement by the mean cost of a stent change. The study confirmed that the costs associated with plastic stent changes over a 12-month period could be more than double the cost of a Resonance implantation, as shown above.

"When using polymer stents, ureteral obstruction treatment can require frequent stent changes. This can be uncomfortable for a patient. It can also lead to significant increases in healthcare costs," said Turk, an associate professor of urology at Loyola University Health System. "Our data revealed that the Cook Resonance Stent can on average remain in the patient for up to 12 months. This can have an impact on overall patient comfort and accrued treatment costs, specifically in comparison to polymer stents which may require three to four changes a year."

Benign ureteral obstruction blocks parts of the urinary system, impacting the kidney's ability to drain properly. The Cook Resonance Metallic Ureteral Stent's unique design relieves this blockage and allows a patient's urinary system to drain normally while reducing the frequency of stent changes or debilitating nephrostomy tubes that can interfere with the patient's quality of life. The stent's superior compressive and radial strength can withstand up to 25 times more extrinsic compression than plastic stents, enabling it to remain patent for up to 12 months.

"Ureteral compression on its own is a debilitating condition that can have very negative impacts on patient comfort. The added stress of multiple stent changes over time only adds to the burden brought on by this ailment," said Jerry French, senior vice president and global strategic business unit leader for Cook Urology. "The Resonance Metallic Ureteral Stent was developed to alleviate this discomfort as well as the significant medical costs typically associated with treating this condition. We are excited that the results from Dr. Turk's study reinforce the positive impact of this device."

Source
Cook Medical