the spanner
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Patient Information Booklet This booklet is for men and their families regarding the use of The Spanner™ Temporary Prostatic Stent. It contains important information about the Spanner device. Please review this booklet and discuss your questions with your doctor.

Glossary of Terms Bladder – The organ in the body where urine is retained until it is expelled from the body through the urethra. Catheterization – Insertion of a thin tube by way of the urethra into the bladder to allow urine to drain. External Sphincter – A circular band of muscle that encircles the urethra. This muscle acts as a valve to start and stop the flow of urine. Incontinence – Uncontrolled leaking of urine. Meatus – The opening or passage to the male urethra. Pelvic MRI – A noninvasive procedure performed to obtain detailed images of the structure of the pelvic region. Penis –...

What is The Spanner™ and what is it used for? When you urinate your urine passes from your bladder through your urethra and out of your penis. You are able to start urinating because your brain tells your bladder to squeeze, while at the same time telling a valve, called the external sphincter to open. The bladder pushes the urine out of your body through your urethra, which is a tube that extends from your bladder to the tip of the penis. Often the reason that men cannot easily urinate is because their prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra, enlarges and blocks the flow of urine. (See...

How does it work? The Spanner has a small tube that is placed in a man’s urethra which keeps the prostate from blocking (or pressing on) the urethra. The picture below shows a Spanner inside the body. The Spanner has a tube with a small balloon near the tip which stays inside the bladder. This balloon is used to keep the Spanner in place. The tube allows urine to flow from the bladder through the portion of the urethra that the enlarged prostate gland is blocking. It holds the urethra open even though the prostate is pressing on it. The tube does not go through the sphincter because if it...

A soft tab connected to the strings is located at the other end of the stent. This tab keeps the stent from moving into the bladder. A retrieval string is tied to the Spanner, and is used to drain the balloon when it is time to remove the Spanner. With the Spanner in place, when you want to go to the bathroom your body will function as it normally should. It will start and stop urination as normal. Your urine will flow through the Spanner’s tube and out of your body. Alternative therapies for the temporary management of urine flow, after the catheter is removed, include:      No...

The Spanner is inserted into your penis using an insertion device (introducer). Before inserting the stent, your doctor may put a numbing gel into the urethra through the tip of your penis to help make you comfortable. The Spanner is advanced until the tip is inside the bladder. (Fig. 1) The balloon is then inflated with sterile water.(Fig. 2)

The insertion device is then removed (Fig. 3), leaving the stent correctly positioned in the prostatic urethra. Your doctor may trim the retrieval string so that it is visible and extending beyond the tip of the penis. It is important not to pull on the string. Pulling the string will allow the Spanner to move out of the urethra. Caution: Pulling the black string may cause the device to move out of place resulting in the inability to urinate. If this happens contact your doctor promptly or go to an emergency room.

What is it like to wear The Spanner? Most men tolerate the stent very well, but some men have found it to be uncomfortable. Compared to how you felt before the treatment for your enlarged prostate and having the Spanner inserted, it is possible that you will experience one or more of the following while wearing the Spanner:     Feel like your bladder is emptying more completely. Be able to urinate without starting and stopping repeatedly. Have an improved stream. Be able to start urination easier. Have slight discomfort or burning sensation at the tip of your penis during urination....

How do I know The Spanner is working properly? You can tell the stent is working because you feel like you are adequately emptying your bladder and are reasonably comfortable. Caution: If you are frequently urinating only small amounts, your urination pattern has recently worsened, or you feel pressure in your bladder, the Spanner may not be helping with your urinary problems. You should contact your doctor immediately. If you feel the Spanner needs to be removed for any reason, consult your doctor. Can I have sex with The Spanner in place? Wearing the Spanner does not preclude sexual...

How does The Spanner come out? Caution: The Spanner must be removed by or under the supervision of a doctor. Removal of the Spanner by others may result in urinary retention or injury. The doctor pulls the stent out using the retrieval string. Do not be concerned if you do not see the string. It is common for it to move into the urethra. Your doctor will still be able to take the stent out. After locating the string, your doctor will gently pull on it. The string is connected to a plug that keeps the water in the balloon. When the plug is pulled, the water will drain out of the balloon....

What risks are associated with the use of The Spanner and what should I do if they occur? The following guidelines will help you decide what to do for problems that may occur with use of the Spanner. Important Note: If you go to an emergency room or consult a doctor other than the doctor who inserted the Spanner, take your emergency removal card with you. If you do not have your emergency removal card available, bring this booklet. It will provide useful information to the doctor or other staff who are caring for you. Caution: The Spanner has not been evaluated for use with Magnetic...

What to do Drinking plenty of water will help flush out any blood. If you see a lot of blood coming from your penis, or in your urine at any time, contact your doctor promptly or go to an emergency room for evaluation.  Pain or discomfort You may experience pain in the area under and behind your scrotum, penis, or bladder while wearing the Spanner. A burning sensation at the tip of the penis during urination may also occur. These symptoms are most likely to occur in the period immediately following insertion. What to do If these symptoms occur, they should be mild to moderate in severity....