Management of distal ureter in laparoscopic nephroureterectomy--a comprehensive review of techniques

Approximately 5% of all urothelial tumors in adults arise from the upper tracts. While the gold standard treatment is open nephroureterectomy, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is becoming increasingly popular. Oncologic principles dictate that complete excision of the transmural ureter and bladder cuff and avoidance of urine spillage are paramount. This can be challenging laparoscopically and multiple techniques have been described. We review described surgical techniques, published oncologic data, as well as advantages and disadvantages for each technique including open excision, cystoscopic detachment and ligation, laparoscopic stapling, ureteral intussusception, transurethral resection of ureteral orifice (TURUO) and modifications of TURUO. To date, no controlled studies have been performed demonstrating one technique's superiority.     

Does the surgical technique for management of the distal ureter influence the outcome after nephroureterectomy?

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? The resection of the distal ureter and its orifice is an oncological principle during radical nephroureterectomy which is based on the fact that it represents a part of the urinary tract exposed to a considerable risk of recurrence. After removal of the proximal part it is hardly possible to image or approach it by endoscopy during follow‐up. Recent publications on survival after nephroureterectomy do not allow the conclusion that removal of distal ureter and bladder cuff are useless. Several techniques of distal ureter removal have been described but they are not equivalent in term of oncological safety. ? The standard treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UUT‐UCs) must obey oncological principles, which consist of a complete en bloc resection of the kidney and the ureter, as well as excision of a bladder cuff to avoid tumour seeding. ? The open technique is the ‘gold standard’ of treatment to which all other techniques developed are necessarily compared, and various surgical procedures have been described. ? The laparoscopic stapling technique maintains a closed system but risks leaving behind the ureteric and bladder cuff segments. ? Transvesical laparoscopic detachment and ligation is a valid approach from an oncological stance but is technically difficult. The major inconvenience of the transurethral resection of the ureteric orifice and intussusception techniques is the potential for tumour seeding. ? Management of the distal ureter via the robot‐assisted laparoscopic method is technically feasible, but outcomes from these procedures are still preliminary. ? Therefore, prospective comparative studies with more thorough explorations of these techniques are needed to solve the dilemma of the management of the distal ureter during nephroureterectomy. However, bladder cuff excision should remain the standard of care irrespective of the stage of the disease.     

Modified transurethral technique for the management of distal ureter during laparoscopic assisted nephroureterectomy

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic assisted nephroureterectomy is a well established technique for managing the upper urinary tract urothelial cancer. However, management of the distal ureter remains a controversial issue. We describe a modified method of cystoscopic loop ligation and detachment of the distal ureter. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATION: We performed transperitoneal laparoscopic assisted nephroureterectomy in 13 patients. The lower end of the ureter was managed perurethrally using our modified technique. We circumscribed the ureteric orifice with a bladder cuff using a Collins knife. We ligated the ureteric stump via cystoscope to avoid urine spillage from the upper tract. We achieved the complete excision of the distal ureter with a bladder cuff in all cases with our modified technique. CONCLUSIONS: Our modified technique appears to be a simple, less invasive, and oncologically safe method to manage the distal ureter perurethrally.     

Pure laparoscopic complete excision of distal ureter with a bladder cuff for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

PURPOSE: In laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma techniques for removing the lower ureter with a bladder cuff have been a matter of debate. We have developed a pure laparoscopic technique for the complete resection of the lower ureter with a bladder cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was performed in ten patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma using this technique. After a working space was made retroperitoneally, the ureter was ligated at the distal site of the tumor. Retracting the ureter cranially, a stay suture was placed at an anterior point on the bladder and the bladder opened. With the patient placed in a lateral position, there was no urine leakage from the opened bladder. The ureteral orifice was confirmed laparoscopically. Incising around the ureteral orifice, the distal ureter was detached with the bladder cuff. The opened bladder wall was closed with running stitches. RESULTS: This method was technically successful in these ten cases with minimal bleeding and average operative time of 87 min. The margins of the bladder cuff were all negative and the average follow-up period of 19 months revealed only one (10%) bladder tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The ligation of the distal part of the ureter and the complete excision of the ipsilateral orifice and a bladder cuff under laparoscopic vision could reduce bladder tumor recurrence. Although this is a limited study with a small sample, the observation of low rates of bladder tumor recurrence after 19 months warrants further study.     

Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper-tract urothelial tumors is a minimally invasive approach that parallels the open technique in oncologic efficacy. Multiple approaches to manage the distal ureter have been described. We developed a new technique using the daVinci robot system to perform a transvesical excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with upper-tract urothelial cancer underwent a laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. The daVinci robot was docked through the umbilical, ipsilateral lateral rectus, and an additional contralateral lateral rectus port. The bladder was clam-shelled in a coronal orientation at the dome and the distal ureterectomy performed. RESULTS: Our technique was successful in all ten patients. The mean operative time for the entire case was 4.4 hours. The average hospital stay was 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is a safe, minimally invasive approach to upper- tract urothelial cancer that reduces the technical challenge of excision of the distal ureter.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with open cystotomy for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: While performing laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, different techniques are used for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. We present a series of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis or ureter who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (HALNU) with open cystotomy for removal of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to August 2004, 34 patients underwent HALNU. The hand-port device was placed in a lower-midline infraumbilical incision in all cases. After laparoscopic removal of the kidney and ureter down to the bladder, the hand port incision was extended caudally to allow open cystotomy. Intravesical dissection was performed at the ureteral orifice, and the bladder cuff and distal ureter were removed in a traditional open fashion. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 317 +/- 150 (SD) minutes, but the median operative time was 247 minutes. The mean estimated blood loss was 252 +/- 146 mL. The mean length of stay was 7.6 +/- 6.0 days, but the median stay was 5 days postoperatively (range 3-25). The mean morphine equivalent required postoperatively was 33 +/- 22 mg. The time of Foley catheter removal ranged from 3 to 15 days (mean 6.1 +/- 3.8 days), with no cases of extravasation by cystography at removal. Within a mean follow-up of 13.9 months, no recurrence of urothelial carcinoma was seen at the site of the excised ureteral orifice. CONCLUSION: A HALNU utilizing an open cystotomy for removal of the entire distal ureter with a bladder cuff provides excellent oncologic control while not adding significantly to the operative time or the morbidity of the procedure.     

THE ENDOSCOPIC APPROACH TO THE DISTAL URETER IN NEPHROURETERECTOMY FOR UPPER URINARY TRACT TUMOR

PURPOSE: We reviewed the current status of the endoscopic distal ureteral approach to nephroureterectomy for transitional upper urinary tract cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the English, French and Spanish literature using a PubMed and MEDLINE search, and compared the stripping and pluck techniques. Statistical analysis was done using Fisher's exact test. Individual case reports are discussed but they were not included in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean rate of bladder carcinoma recurrence after ureteral resection and detachment is 19.3% for the stripping and 24% for the pluck technique. This difference is not statistically significant. In 3.1% of cases invasive bladder cancer has been noted but only after distal ureteral resection using the pluck technique. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic approach to the distal ureter during nephroureterectomy is feasible. Bladder cancer recurrence was similar after each technique. However, isolated case reports illustrate the need for cautious selection of surgical candidates.     

Endoscopic ureteral procedures for one-step nephroureterectomy: experience in 100 cases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Nephroureterectomy with perimeatal cystectomy is the gold standard for the treatment of urothelial upper urinary-tract carcinoma (UUTC). Ureteral endoscopic surgery has been proposed as a complementary step in nephroureterectomy, either open or laparoscopic, in order to obviate the low abdominal incision. Our goal was to establish the value of two techniques for endoscopic distal-ureteral management in one-step nephroureterectomy for UUTC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 1995 and January 2006, 100 nephroureterectomies with an endoscopic distal ureteral approach were performed for UUTC (stage pT(a) in 31 cases, pT1 in 27 cases, pT2 in 21 cases, pT3 in 18 cases, and pT(4) in 3 cases). The tumor was pyelocaliceal in 65 cases, ureteral in 18 cases, and both ureteral and pyelocaliceal in 17 cases. Among the patients, 72 underwent "pluck" transurethral detachment of the intramural ureter, and 28 were managed by ureteral stripping. The follow-up was performed by cystoscopy with urinary cytology, ultrasonography, and intravenous urography. The mean follow-up was 44 months (range 4-129 months). RESULTS: All but two of the procedures were completed successfully. In these two patients, ureteral stripping failed, and open surgery was performed. The complication rate was 2.8% for the pluck technique and 7.1% for ureteral stripping. During follow-up, 23 patients had bladder recurrences, 2 had renal fossa tumors, 3 had secondary lymph-node invasion, 2 had contralateral UUTC, and 1 had asynchronous liver metastases. The disease-specific mortality rate was 12%. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic approach to the terminal ureter is safe and effective as part of one-step nephroureterectomy. Differences between the techniques with regard to operative time, complications, and oncologic outcome were not significant.     

Modified pluck method in en bloc nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff for upper urothelial cancer

AIM: To evaluate the surgical results of the en bloc removal of the kidney and ureter with a bladder cuff by using our modified pluck method. METHODS: We employed this procedure in 28 patients with renal pelvic and ureteral cancer. The clinical stages of the 28 patients were T(1-3)N(0-1)M(0). These patients were operated on by nephrectomy with standard open or retroperitoneoscopic surgery, and then standard or blind dissection of the distal ureter. After simultaneously making a transurethral circular incision of the ureteral meatus with a J-shaped electrode, the ureteral end was plucked out of the bladder, and en bloc removal of the kidney and ureter was performed from the wound. RESULTS: The mean operating time for nephroureterectomy using the pluck method was 278 min in all cases. The mean time for the pluck procedure after nephrectomy was 24 min in 22 cases, and 73 min in six cases where the nephrectomy was carried out via a new lower pararectal wound. There were no intra- or postoperative complications associated with these procedures. Within the mean follow-up period of 25 months, there was no recurrence of tumors in the perivesical retroperitoneal space; however, the usual rate of intravesical recurrence was observed. Three patients died, two of metastatic urothelial cancer and one of heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: En bloc nephroureterectomy using our modified pluck method is a useful procedure for patients with upper urothelial cancer because of the simplicity and ease of the procedure.     

Recurrence and survival following laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy with various forms of bladder cuff control

PURPOSE: We document recurrence and survival following laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNUX) for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) using primarily 2 methods of managing the bladder cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 60 patients undergoing LNUX at our institution for upper tract TCC were reviewed retrospectively. En bloc excision of the bladder cuff was primarily performed transvesically by our described cystoscopic secured detachment and ligation method (CDL) or extravesically using a laparoscopic stapling device (LS). RESULTS: Median followup was 23 months (range 1 to 45). Recurrence developed in 27%, 7% and 12% of cases in the bladder at a median of 5 months, retroperitoneum at 8 months and distant sites at 8 months, respectively. Compared to the novel CDL technique LS resulted in a higher positive margin rate (p = 0.046). Overall survival correlated with bladder recurrence (p = 0.003), upper tract TCC stage (p = 0.01) and method of bladder cuff control when comparing CDL vs LS (p = 0.04). Freedom from recurrent upper tract disease was related to pathological stage (p = 0.015) and bladder cuff excision method (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These data underscore the aggressive nature of high stage, high grade upper tract TCC and validate the importance of complete excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during LNUX. In patients without coexisting bladder tumor the CDL method, which allows formal bladder cuff excision in a secured manner akin to that of established open surgical principles, appears oncologically valid.     

Pneumovesicum method in en-Bloc laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff resection for upper-tract urothelial cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A novel technique for managing the distal ureter and bladder cuff during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is introduced. TECHNIQUE: The procedure consists of three steps: (1) cystoscopy and PediPort (Tyco) insertion; (2) establishment of pneumovesicum and intramural ureter mobilization; and (3) laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. The use of PediPorts, a 5-mm lens, and Ski needles greatly facilitates the pneumovesicum. The ureteral orifice is closed, and the intramural ureter is dissected out with the patient in the lithotomy position. Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy is then accomplished with the patient in the lateral position. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful, and the pathology examination showed clear margins. CONCLUSION: Pneumovesicum is a minimally invasive approach that provides an excellent endoscopic view. It is an oncologically sound method, as the ureteral orifice is closed early, and the chance of cancer-cell spillage is minimized by the use of gas instead of liquid in the bladder. Moreover, the procedure is not technically demanding.     

Oncologic outcomes of extravesical stapling of distal ureter in laparoscopic nephroureterectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and oncologic efficacy of extravesical laparoscopic stapling of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy for pelvicaliceal transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with primary pelvicaliceal TCC and no history of TCC of the bladder or ureter who underwent extravesical laparoscopic control of the bladder cuff were compared with a similar group of patients submitted to the open transvesical approach. Operative results and oncologic outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Operative time, estimate blood loss, length of hospital stay, rate of positive margins, and postoperative complications were not statistically different in the two groups of patients. With an average of almost 4 years of follow-up, the laparoscopic approach to the bladder cuff was associated with an increase in the overall rate of recurrence and a shorter recurrence-free survival, although these differences were not statistically significant. Rates of local and bladder recurrence and distant metastases were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic stapling of the bladder cuff has oncologic efficacy and outcomes similar to those of the open transvesical approach. However, the laparoscopic procedure may carry a higher risk of recurrence and a shorter recurrence-free interval than the open transvesical approach.     

Abordaje del uréter distal en la nefroureterectomía laparoscópica

IntroductionNephroureterectomy is one of the procedures for which a laparoscopic approach is more clearly indicated. However, despite the long experience available, management of the distal ureter is still difficult.Materials and methodsThirty-two laparoscopic nephroureterectomies were performed from November 2004 to December 2008. The procedure used was endoscopic resection of distal ureter and earlier ligation of the ureter in the laparoscopic time in 13 patients, a laparoscopic bladder cuff in 13 patients, and an open bladder cuff in 3 patients.ResultsMean operating time was 221.53 min (125-315 min), and mean postoperative stay of 27 patients was 4.6 days. Conversion to open surgery and discontinuation of the procedure for local tumor progression were required in one patient each. Mean patient follow-up was 17.8 months. No local relapse or metastasis occurred in the ports.ConclusionThe most common procedures continue to be endoscopic resection and the open bladder cuff depending on indication. Any laparoscopic approach to upper urothelial tumors must strictly comply with oncological principles. The reported procedure is in our experience the fastest, most simple, and most effective for this purpose. In our opinion, the therapeutic algorithm provided is adequate for management of the distal ureter in laparoscopic nephroureterectomy.     

A novel technique for distal ureterectomy and bladder cuff excision

IntroductionWe describe a novel endoscopic approach and provide a literature review for the “en bloc” dissection of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy using a transvesical single port approach under pneumovesicum.Materials and methodsThe procedure was performed in an 80-year old male with a history of gross hematuria due to left renal pelvic TCC and no history of prior bladder TCC. Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy was performed and the ureter was dissected down to the bladder and clipped. A single-port device was inserted transvesically and pneumovesicum established. A full thickness incision of the bladder around the ureter was performed with progressive intravesical mobilization of the distal ureter. Subsequently, a water-tight closure of the bladder defect was achieved. The distal ureter, together with the bladder cuff, was then delivered en bloc laparoscopically with the specimen.ResultsThe operating time (LESS radical nephroureterectomy, RPLND, and bladder cuff excision) was 6 hours and 15 minutes. The bladder cuff time was 45 minutes. There were no intra or postoperative complications and the catheter was removed after 6 days. Histopathological analysis showed kidney-invasive papillary urothelial cancer, pT3 pN0 (0/7) G3.ConclusionThe distal ureter and bladder cuff techniques have not yet been standardized. Management of the bladder cuff with a single port is feasible. Additional studies are needed to identify the best approach for management of the distal ureter at the time of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy.     

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and management options for the distal ureter

Radical nephroureterectomy, including en bloc excision of the ureter with a bladder cuff, is the standard treatment for upper tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC). This procedure requires either a flank and lower abdominal incision or an extended flank incision. Laparoscopic surgery for TCC has been used at several medical centers; the most challenging and controversial aspect is the oncologically correct management of the distal ureter. We believe that the Cleveland Clinic technique of securing the distal bladder cuff intravesically while simultaneously occluding the distal ureter prevents tumor spillage and allows accurate and complete resection of the targeted ureter in a manner mirroring the open procedure.     

A sealed laparoscopic nephroureterectomy: a new technique

OBJECTIVES: To describe a purely laparoscopic nephroureterectomy approach that avoids the disadvantages of transurethral bladder cuff excision and open/laparoscopic distal ureterectomy using the EndoGIA. METHODS: A standard transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy is carried out through three or four ports in the flank. The ureter is dissected caudally into the pelvis. Two additional (5- and 10-mm) trocars are placed in the ipsilateral lower abdomen. Caudal ureteral dissection continues until the detrusor muscle fibers at the ureterovesical junction are identified. A 1-cm area of bladder adventitia around the ureterovesical junction is cleared. The ureter is retracted upward and laterally, tenting up the bladder wall. The bladder cuff is excised using a 10-mm LigaSure Atlas and detached from the bladder. A 6-cm lower-quadrant incision is used to remove the specimen in an Endocatch bag. An indwelling 16F Foley catheter is then placed. RESULTS: Thirteen adult patients with suspected upper-tract transitional cell carcinoma underwent this surgical technique (operative time: 170-270 min): none had local recurrence, and two had recurrence remote from the bladder cuff scar (follow-up: 1-23 months). CONCLUSIONS: The described procedure adheres strictly to oncologic principles (removal of the affected renal unit without opening the urinary tract), and circumvents the need for transurethral/intraureteral instrumentation and patient repositioning.     

Robot-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UT-UC)

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UT-UC), including tumors evolving from the renal pelvis and ureter, accounts for around 5% of all UCs and 10% of all renal tumor cases. In Taiwan, the incidence of UT-UC is higher than the western countries especially in the female and patients at renal replacement therapy. The standard care of UT-UC is nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision. In the past decades, minimally invasive surgery is proved to achieve comparable oncological results as conventional open procedure. Though laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision including pure laparoscopic or hand-assisted technique have been very common practice in Taiwan, several institutes have the early experience of robot-assisted nephroureterectomy which is believed to provide 3-D visualization with magnification, better surgical exposure, and safer watertight suture of the cystostomy. In this review, we review the published reports of robot-assisted nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision.     

Laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy with en-bloc distal ureteral and bladder cuff excision using a single position pneumovesicum method

We describe a completely laparoscopic approach for en-bloc dissection of the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy using a pneumovesicum approach and with the need for intraoperative patient repositioning. This technique is efficient, technically feasible and adheres to the oncologic principles of radical nephroureterectomy.     

Experience of nephroureterectomy with modified "pluck" method--En bloc removal of kidney and ureter

PURPOSE: Transurethral removal of the ureter in nephroureterectomy has been reported by several centers as being a useful procedure. We also have employed this procedure in selective cases, but we had several problems in this procedure. So we tried the modified pluck nephroureterectomy technique (En bloc removal of kidney and ureter) to improve the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since October 1999 to September 2000, we employed this technique in 9 cases with renal pelvic or ureteral tumor, 2 with renal cell carcinoma and 3 with benign diseases. Standard nephrectomy is performed. After transurethral resection of the ureteral meatus, the distal ureter is freed by blind retroperitoneal dissection and plucked out of the bladder in continuity with the kidney. The bladder is drainaged for 6-10 days after surgery. RESULTS: The average time and blood loss during the operation were 247 minutes and 287 ml. No appreciable complications such as retroperitoneal urine leakage or hemorrhage during or after the procedure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The modified pluck technique is useful because of its easiness and minimal invasiveness.     

Determination of cell viability after laparoscopic tissue stapling in a porcine model

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgical stapling devices are often used to secure the distal ureter along with a cuff of bladder during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. As the viability of cells within the stapled tissue would be important in patients with upper urinary-tract transitional-cell carcinoma, we determined the viability of cells within the lines of various commercially available staplers in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four laparoscopic stapling devices were used: two vascular and two tissue designs (US Surgical, Norwalk, CT, and Ethicon, Cincinnati, OH). The devices were deployed across a portion of the bladder, much as they would be during a nephroureterectomy to create a bladder cuff while excising the distal ureter. The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks later, and the stapled sites were harvested for histopathologic examination by an experienced genitourinary pathologist (PH). RESULTS: Grossly, there were no visible staples at harvest of the stapled bladder and the ureterovesical junction, with a completely healed bladder being seen in all four animals. On histologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining, there were distinctly viable cells within the staple lines of the ureterovesical junction and the bladder wall, similar to the unstapled control tissue. There were viable cells in all samples of tissues stapled by either vascular or tissue staplers. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of both vascular and tissue staplers resulted in viable cells within the staple lines at the ureterovesical junction and bladder wall in this porcine model. There is a potential risk of tumor recurrence at the stapled site in patients who have the ureter and bladder cuff secured with these devices during laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma. Despite this concern, to date, over a period of 13 years, clinical experience has not revealed a single case of tumor recurrence within the stapled cuff of bladder. Careful endoscopic evaluation of the stapled bladder-cuff site after laparoscopic nephroureterectomy should minimize the potential for local tumor recurrence.