Holmium: YAG laser endoureterotomy for ureterointestinal strictures

PURPOSE: The management of ureterointestinal stricture in patients who have undergone urinary diversion can be challenging. Endourological techniques have been increasingly used in recent years for ureteral stricture. While long-term results may not be as reliable or durable as those of traditional open reconstructive surgical techniques, associated morbidity is much less. The holmium (Ho):YAG laser, which has cutting and coagulating properties, has been demonstrated to have many applications in urology. We report our experience with and long-term results of Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy for ureterointestinal strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts and followup history of 23 patients in whom the Ho:YAG laser was used to treat ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture. Strictures were treated percutaneously via the antegrade approach with flexible endoscopes and the holmium laser. A reversed 12/6Fr endopyelotomy stent was left indwelling for 6 weeks postoperatively. Success was defined as symptomatic improvement and radiographic resolution of obstruction. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 2000, 23 patients with a mean age of 61 years underwent endo-ureterotomy using the Ho:YAG laser for 24 ureterointestinal stricture. An overall success rate of 71% (17 of 24 cases) was achieved at a mean followup of 22 months. The success rate of holmium laser endoureterotomy for ureterointestinal stricture at 1, 2 and 3 years was 85%, 72% and 56%, respectively. Seven patients had recurrent strictures of which 4 developed 16 months or more postoperatively. No complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy for ureterointestinal stricture disease is a minimally invasive endourological procedure that may provide more durable results than other modalities used for endoureterotomy. The Ho:YAG laser with its ability to cut tissue precisely and provide hemostasis combined with its versatility and compatibility with flexible endoscopes is an ideal instrument for safely performing endoureterotomy.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的腔内治疗

目的 探讨腔内技术治疗尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄的临床应用价值.方法 膀胱癌尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄患者9例,狭窄段长度1～3 cm,均采用腔内技术治疗,顺行经皮肾处理8例,逆行输尿管镜处理1例;术中使用高压气囊配合筋膜扩张器扩张,术后留置双J管.结果 随访0.5～5.0年.1例吻合口闭锁患者术后3个月仍为重度积水,患者拒绝开放手术而长期留置肾造瘘管;8例患者肾积水减轻,再次逆行扩张狭窄段并留置双J管,其中5例经2～3次扩张换管,拔除双J管后复查肾积水稳定于轻度状态;3例拔除双J管后腰痛不适,需要长期留置双J管.结论 尿流改道术后输尿管肠代膀胱吻合口狭窄腔内技术治疗效果良好,可避免开放手术的风险.     

Long-term results of antegrade endoureterotomy using the holmium laser in patients with ureterointestinal strictures

Objectives. To investigate the effectiveness and morbidity of percutaneous laser endoureterotomy in the management of ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.Methods. Between May 1997 and August 2000, 19 percutaneous endoureterotomy incisions, including 3 repeated incisions, were performed on 15 patients with a mean age of 61 years (range 41 to 80) to treat ureterointestinal strictures. A total of 16 renal units were treated (9 left, 7 right), including one bilateral procedure. All procedures were performed using a 200-μm holmium laser fiber in antegrade fashion with a 7.5F flexible ureteroscope. A nephroureteral stent was left in place for 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. Success was defined as radiologic improvement and/or the ability to return to full activity in the absence of flank pain, infection, or the need for ureteral stents or nephrostomy tubes.Results. With a median follow-up of 20.5 months (range 9 to 41), the overall success rate was 57% (8 of 14 renal units). Two patients were lost to follow-up. The mean operative time was 91 minutes, and no perioperative complications occurred. Three patients required repeated endoureterotomies, with two requiring open reimplantation. Overall, the endoureterotomy failed in 6 patients in the series, with five of the six failures involving left-sided strictures.Conclusions. Percutaneous endoureterotomy is an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for patients with ureterointestinal strictures after urinary diversion. Better visualization and a more precise incision may make the holmium laser a safer cutting modality than alternative methods in patients with ureteroenteric strictures. Patients with left-sided ureterointestinal strictures should be cautioned that endourologic management might have a lower success rate.     

Ureteroenteric anastomosis in continent urinary diversion: long-term results and complications of direct versus nonrefluxing techniques

PURPOSE: Controversy exists over the importance of antireflux mechanisms in large volume, low pressure intestinal bladder substitutions. Despite the theoretical benefits of reflux prevention, antirefluxing ureteral reimplantations may have a greater risk of anastomotic stricture. We hypothesize that this inherent stricture rate may outweigh the potential benefits associated with reflux prevention. To assess this question critically we compare our results to those of direct and nonrefluxing techniques of ureterointestinal anastomosis during continent diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1990 and 1998, 58 patients underwent continent urinary diversion using an Indiana pouch or ileal orthotopic neobladder following cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer. A total of 56 renal units were implanted using an end-to-side Nesbit direct anastomosis and 60 were implanted in a nonrefluxing manner. Clinical end points included anastomotic stricture formation, hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis, upper tract stone formation and renal deterioration, and were assessed with a mean followup of 41 months. RESULTS: Of 60 nonrefluxing ureteroenteric anastomoses 8 (13%) resulted in nonneoplastic stricture formation compared to 1 of 56 (1.7%) direct anastomoses, which was statistically significant (Fisher's exact test p <0.05). Strictures occurred up to 6 years following the original surgery. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in regard to hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis, upper tract stone formation or azotemia. CONCLUSIONS: Nonrefluxing methods of ureterointestinal reimplantation resulted in a statistically significant higher rate of anastomotic stricture than the end-to-side direct anastomosis. This finding appears to outweigh any theoretical benefits of preventing pyelonephritis, stones or azotemia. For patients undergoing large volume, low pressure continent diversion the refluxing ureterointestinal anastomosis may be the technique of choice since it preserves renal function as well as the nonrefluxing method, is technically easier to perform and poses less risk of stricture. Delayed stricture formation years after surgery underscores the necessity for long-term radiological followup in patients following continent diversion.     

Percutaneous placement of permanent metal stents for treatment of ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of permanent metal stent placement in the treatment of ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures following failed balloon dilation or laser endoureterotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Metal stents were placed in six ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures in four patients presenting with recurrent obstruction after balloon dilation or laser endoureteromy. Patients were evaluated at 1 week postoperatively with antegrade ureterography and at 3 to 6 months with renal ultrasound or CT scans. Serum creatinine assays and physical examination were performed at serial postoperative clinic visits. RESULTS: At 1-week follow-up, antegrade studies demonstrated a patent anastomosis in all six strictures. With a mean follow-up of 10 months (range 7-12 months), no stricture recurrence has been seen. All patients have been clinically stable, without episodes of pyelonephritis, flank pain, or need for indwelling stents or nephrostomy tube placement. Serum creatinine concentrations have been stable in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Metal stents offer a useful treatment option in patients who develop ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures after urinary diversion. Further, such stents may be used in patients failing balloon dilation or laser endoureterotomy. Further study to assess the long-term durability of metal stent placement is needed.     

Holmium:YAG laser endoureterotomy in the treatment of ureteroenteric stricture following Indiana urinary diversion

A 57-year-old man who had received radical urethrocystectomy and Indiana urinary diversion 6 months earlier was treated for ureteroenteric anastomosis stricture (left side) using a Holmium:YAG laser via antegrade approach. The availability of small (6.9 Fr) flexible ureteroscope, as well as the use of the Holmium:YAG laser has facilitated the ability to precisely incise the stricture under direct endoscopic visualization. The technique is described for laser endoureterotomy in a patient with ureteroenteric stricture following Indiana urinary diversion.     

经皮顺行球囊扩张治疗输尿管-肠吻合口狭窄

目的：评价经皮肾穿刺顺行球囊扩张治疗尿流改道术或原位膀胱术后输尿管-肠吻合口狭窄治疗效果。方法：对15例尿流改道术或原位膀胱术后患者，共25处输尿管-肠吻合口狭窄，采用经皮肾穿刺顺行球囊扩张，并置入输尿管支架管6周进行引流治疗。结果：本组15例中，2例双侧和1例单侧狭窄患者因导丝不能通过狭窄处，扩张失败。其余8例双侧狭窄、4例单侧狭窄患者均成功完成扩张，其中9例拔除支架管后症状好转，血肌酐下降及肾积水保持稳定，随访时间3～29个月（平均13个月），有效率60％；另3例拔除支架管后1～3个月，血肌酐进行性上升，予以再次留置输尿管内支架管并定期更换。结论：经皮肾穿刺顺行球囊扩张治疗输尿管-肠吻合口狭窄，创伤小，操作简单，可替代开放手术作为首选治疗方案。     

可控性尿流改道的输尿管肠管吻合术式的比较

目的　比较输尿管肠管的直接吻合和黏膜隧道式、袖口乳头式抗返流吻合术式的并发症发生率 ,为临床术式的选择提供指导。　方法　 6 3例可控性尿流改道术 ,其中 2 4例采用输尿管肠管直接吻合术 (直接吻合组 ) ,39例采用抗返流吻合术 (抗返流吻合组 )。比较直接吻合组和抗返流吻合组术后吻合口狭窄、输尿管返流、肾功能损害及尿路感染等并发症的发生率。术后随访时间 3个月至 6年 ,平均 2 6个月。　结果　 78条输尿管肠管抗返流吻合者 ,术后 12条输尿管出现吻合口狭窄。而直接吻合组 4 8条输尿管仅 1条出现吻合口狭窄 ,两者差异有显著性 (χ2 =4 375 ,P <0 0 5 )。抗返流吻合组和直接吻合组术后输尿管返流、肾功能损害及急性尿路感染发生率差异无显著性。结论　黏膜隧道式、袖口乳头式抗返流吻合术后输尿管吻合口狭窄发生率较直接吻合术高。对可控性尿流改道的输尿管肠管吻合宜选择直接吻合术。     

Treatment of benign ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures with permanent ureteral Wallstent after Camey and Wallace urinary diversion: long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture follows urinary diversion in 4% to 8% of patients and may lead to a progressive deterioration of renal function. There are problems with all current management techniques: surgical revision, endourologic incision, nephrostomy drainage, external ureteral stents, and dilation with a high-pressure angioplasty balloon. The authors present their long-term results with permanent ureteral Wallstents for the treatment of benign ureterointestinal stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with 10 strictures were treated by placement of self-expanding permanent indwelling stents via percutaneous nephrostomy between September 1993 and January 1998. The mean age of the group was 59.2 years. Development of strictures occurred a mean of 20.9 months after urinary diversion. There were seven complete and three partial strictures. Of 49 patients treated by the Camey procedure, 7 patients (14%) developed 9 (18%) strictures. Of 28 patients having the Wallace procedure, 1 patient (3.5%) developed one stricture. After recanalization of the distal ureter by a Terumo guidewire and dilation with a high-pressure angioplasty balloon, a Wallstent was placed across the stricture via a percutaneous approach. RESULTS: The endourologic placement of the Wallstent was well tolerated by all patients. The hospital stay averaged 2 days. Seven patients with nine strictures after the Camey procedure are doing well with a follow-up of 7 to 68 months (mean 22.4 months). One major complication was observed in one patient necessitating an additional procedure (lithotripsy) because of stone formation at the lower part of the stent extending into the neobladder in order to maintain patency after 68 months. The other patient, who had a Wallace procedure, is doing well 1 year 8 months afterward. CONCLUSION: An endourologic ureteral Wallstent approach to ureterointestinal stricture is a successful alternative, providing satisfactory management of the problem in most patients. No complication such as stent migration, hematuria, pain, or recurrent stricture was observed.     

Antegrade perkutane endoluminale Therapie der nichtmalignen Strikturen von ureterointestinalen Anastomosen nach Harnableitung

We report our experience on the use of antegrade percutaneous incision of ureterointestinal anastomosis strictures after urinary diversion. Since 1994, we evaluated 9 patients with 12 ureterointestinal anastomosis (UAS) strictures who were treated with a cold-knife incision. After placement of an 8-Fr nephrostomy tube, a 0.035-in guide wire was passed through the stricture under guidance of a central opened ureter catheter (5 Fr). A wire-mounted cold-knife was pulled through the strictured area in the retrograde way under fluoroscopic control. Routinely, following the incision, an 8-Fr external stent was left in place for 6-8 weeks. After removal of the stent, the ureteroenteric area remained patent in 7 UAS (58%) cases versus 7 of 9 (78%) patients, with average follow-up of 18 months (range 13-25 months). Failures were associated with radiogenic injury of the ureter in three UAS cases and unexplained in two. No complication was observed. Percutaneous endourological management of ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures with the cold-knife incision is a safe and effective alternative to open surgical repair and should be tried as an initial approach.