Appendiculoureteroplasty: about 6 cases

OBJECTIVE: Through this work we want to specify the place of ureteroappendiculoplasty as an important technical procedure for ureteral substitution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and September 2002, 6 patients had an appendiculoureteroplasty. RESULTS: four women and two men with a mean age of 37 years (range 12 to 55 years) had a lesion of the right ureter. The decision is use the appendix was taken peroperatively in front of the difficulties associated with other procedures. The mean length of ureteral loss was 12 cm (6-15 cm), the pelvic portion of ureter was more damaged than other segments (4 cases). The appendix was suspended between the 2 ureteric extremities in 2 cases and between the ureter and the bladder in 4 cases. After a mean follow-up of 3 years (1-5 years), we noted a recovery of the kidney function in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: autotransplantation of the appendix can be considered a simple procedure that allows sometimes to reestablish the continuity of the ureter with good results.