Update on ureteral stent technology

Ureteral stents are commonly used in urology but are frequently associated with patient discomfort, stent encrustation and stent-related infection. New biomaterials, coatings and designs have been designed to attempt to reduce these problems. This article reviews coatings to reduce bacterial adhesion and encrustation. In addition, metal ureteral stents, the triclosan and ketorolac drug eluting ureteral stents, and biodegradable ureteral stents are discussed. In summary there is no perfect ureteral stent that avoids all morbidity but there have been significant advances in the last few years in stent technology.