NICE has said that Memokath 051 Ureter stent can be used in the NHS for ureteric obstruction in adults.
This is only if you have:
- a cancerous ureteric obstruction, which you’ve had treatment for, and you’re likely to survive in the medium or long term because it might reduce the number of hospital visits and improve your quality of life
- a non-cancerous ureteric obstruction and cannot have or do not want surgery
- any type of ureteric obstruction, and you cannot have or do not want another type of stent called a double-J stent, or if it’s risky for you to have a repeat procedure.
The Memokath stent is a metallic stent designed to keep the ureter open to allow urine to pass through it. It’s an alternative to other types of stent, nephrostomy (an external drainage tube into the kidney) or surgery. It may cause less discomfort and need to be replaced less often than other types of stent, but more evidence is needed to confirm this.
Is this treatment right for me?
Your healthcare professionals should give you clear information, talk with you about your options and listen carefully to your views and concerns. Your family can be involved too, if you wish. Read more about making decisions about your care.
Questions to think about
- How well does it work compared with other treatments?
- What are the risks or side effects? How likely are they?
- How will the treatment affect my day-to-day life?
- What happens if the treatment does not work?
- What happens if I do not want to have treatment? Are there other treatments available?
Information and support
You can get support from your local Healthwatch.
NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by this organisation.
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