Permanent stents for urethral strictures have established a place as one of the treatment options for carefully selected stricture cases. Temporary stents are a new possibility for urethral strictures but long-term results are needed. Biodegradable urethral stents are an interesting development but more work is necessary before their place can be defined for urethral strictures.As an alternative to sphincterotomy, permanent stents relieve the obstruction of a dyssynergic distal sphincter following spinal injury. Temporary stents may have a limited role.Biodegradable stents avoid the need for temporary catheterization after laser and other high-energy treatments of the prostate. Arguments for and against temporary and permanent stents for prostate obstruction will continue for some time. Available stents are all satisfactory within their limitations. Further design improvements should produce even better results.