A prostatic stent is a stent used to keep open the male urethra and allow the passing of urine in cases of prostatic obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Prostatic obstruction is a common condition with a variety of causes. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause, but obstruction may also occur acutely after treatment for BPH such as transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA), transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), prostate cancer or after radiation therapy. Classification There are two types of prostatic stent: temporary and permanent. Although a permanent prostatic stent is not a medical treatment, it falls under the classification of a surgical procedure. Placement of a permanent prostatic stent is carried out as an outpatient treatment under local, topical or spinal anesthesia and usually takes about 15–30 minutes. A temporary prostatic stent can be inserted in a similar manner to a Foley catheter, requiring only topical anesthesia. Permanent stents Advantages They can be placed in less than 15 minutes under regional anesthesia. Bleeding during and after surgery is minimal. The patient can be discharged the same day. Disadvantages They may cause increased urination and limited incontinence. They may cause mild discomfort They can become dislodged, leading to urinary obstruction or total incontinence. They can become infected and can be very difficult to remove. Their fixed diameter limits subsequent endoscopic surgical options. Temporary stents Advantages They can be placed in less than 15 minutes in a manner similar to Foley catheter placement. They can be easily removed, also in a manner similar to Foley catheter removal. They allow the patient to retain volitional voiding. Patients prefer a temporary stent to Foley catheter use. Disadvantages A temporary stent will not provide voiding function if the patient does not have a working bladder and external sphincter. The stent may cause mild discomfort. They may cause urinary frequency which usually subsides after the first 78 hours. If the stent is not sized correctly or placed correctly, the patient may experience urinary retention or slight incontinence until the problem is corrected. Society Legal approval in the United States At the present time, there is one temporary prostatic stent that has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The Spanner temporary prostatic stent maintains urine flow and allows natural voluntary urination. The prostatic stent is a completely internal device and can be inserted