Terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy in renal transplantation: an under utilized urinary diversion technique

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness of terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy as a means of urinary drainage in kidney transplant recipients during a 20-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five cadaveric and 2 living related patients underwent kidney transplantation with terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy between 1984 and 2004. These patients had no usable bladder or they were not suitable candidates for intermittent catheterization. RESULTS: Followup was 20 months to 17 years. One patient underwent stomal revision 5 months after renal transplantation. Current serum creatinine 4 years later was 166 mumol/l. The remaining 6 patients had no evidence of ureteral obstruction and rarely had bacteriuria or urinary tract infections. Four patients had a functioning allograft with normal serum creatinine. One patient died with a normally functioning allograft and the remaining patient lost his graft due to chronic rejection. No patient in this series lost the graft due to a urological cause. Overall outcomes included excellent allograft function with minimal infection or stomal stenotic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy is a simple, safe and alternative means of urinary diversion in patients with renal transplant and a defunctionalized lower urinary tract.     

Clinical outcome of tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy by the Toyoda method

AIM: Cutaneous ureterostomy is the least invasive method of urinary diversion, but it carries a risk of stomal stenosis. We retrospectively examined the long-term outcome of tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy by the Toyoda method. METHODS: Since 1983, the Toyoda cutaneous ureterostomy has been performed in 97 patients (169 renal units) with a minimum follow up of 3 months. The ureteral patency rate was reviewed according to whether the stomal type was single (one ureter, one stoma) or double-barrel (two ureters, one stoma). RESULTS: After a median follow up of 23 months (range 3 to 169), a tubeless condition was achieved in 102 (82%) of 124 renal units associated with double-barrel stoma and in 35 (78%) of 45 renal units associated with single stoma. Although mild to moderate hydronephrosis was observed in 19% of patients, serum creatinine levels did not change after a minimum of 12 months after surgery (median 35). CONCLUSIONS: A high ureteral patency rate was achieved with cutaneous ureterostomy using the Toyoda method. This procedure, especially double-barrel stomal creation, is a reasonable alternative to other forms of urinary diversion in patients at high risk.     

Cutaneous ureterostomy in adults.

In the patient with metastatic carcinoma, urinary diversion is usually achieved with indwelling ureteral stents or placement of a percutaneous nephrostomy tube. Most forms of surgical diversion carry an unacceptable morbidity rate, especially in the debilitated patient. Over a fifteen-year period (1974-1989), 29 adult patients with pelvic malignancy (32 ureters) underwent palliative cutaneous ureterostomy. This previously reported technique involves transverse nephropexy and construction of a stoma using a small skin flap. Indications included ureteral obstruction or severe urinary tract symptoms. Hydroureter, often considered a precondition for this procedure, was not present in several patients and was not a prerequisite to success. Complications related to the procedure included one postoperative death due to stroke, one death due to uremia and sepsis, and one instance of severe renal arterial stenosis resulting in renal failure. Preservation of renal function was possible in the 10 patients known to have survived from one to thirteen years postoperatively; only 3 patients eventually required stomal revision. By adherence to the surgical techniques described, the usually high incidence of stomal stenosis was avoided. Our experience reveals that although the indications for cutaneous ureterostomy are limited, this procedure can provide an alternative to permanent nephrostomy drainage or to a higher risk intestinal urinary diversion in carefully selected patients with a reasonable life expectancy.     

Tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy: the Toyoda method revisited

PURPOSE: Cutaneous ureterostomy is a less invasive method of urinary diversion and an attractive option especially in patients at high risk. We retrospectively examined the long-term outcome of the method introduced by Toyoda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1983 the Toyoda cutaneous ureterostomy has been performed in 61 patients (103 renal units) with a minimum of 3 months of followup. The ureteral patency rate was reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 92 renal units (89%) that achieved a tubeless condition 53 (51%) had no hydronephrosis, 23 (22%) had mild to moderate hydronephrosis without the need for treatment, 14 (14%) were not evaluated during followup and 2 (2%) were removed due to subsequent renal pelvic and/or ureteral carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: A high ureteral patency rate was achieved with the Toyoda cutaneous ureterostomy. This procedure is a reasonable alternative to other forms of urinary diversion.     

Skin flap technique for the reconstruction of a deep ureteral stomal obstruction

Abstract:   Cutaneous ureterostomy is a minimally invasive urinary diversion procedure but postoperative stomal stenosis is a major problem. We describe a simple stomal reconstruction technique using a skin flap for the correction of deep ureteral stomal obstruction after cutaneous ureterostomy.     

End cutaneous ureterostomy for the management of severe hydronephrosis

PURPOSE: Although rarely indicated, surgical treatment of severe megaureter can pose a formidable technical challenge, especially in the small infant. We present our experience and outcomes with end cutaneous ureterostomy as a temporizing adjunct to future ureteral reimplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent end cutaneous ureterostomy between 1993 and 2005. Patient demographics, surgical details and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients (22 males, 7 females) underwent diversion of 34 renal units. Primary megaureter was diagnosed in 15 patients (17 renal units). Secondary megaureter was found in 10 patients (12 renal units). Postoperative megaureter was diagnosed in 4 patients (5 renal units). Mean patient age at time of diversion was 3.2 months for those with primary megaureter and 1.4 years overall. Bilateral diversion or diversion of a solitary functioning kidney was performed in 14 patients (48%), of whom 4 had renal insufficiency. Nine patients (31%) had a febrile urinary tract infection while awaiting undiversion, with no evidence of renal scarring on followup. Undiversion was performed in 12 patients (13 renal units) with primary megaureter at a mean age of 18 months. Overall, undiversion was performed in 21 patients (23 renal units), and ureteral tailoring was required in only 5 renal units (22%). Mean followup after undiversion was 4.2 years for primary megaureter and 3.9 years overall. CONCLUSIONS: End cutaneous ureterostomy is a safe and effective procedure to temporize massive hydronephrosis while awaiting definitive ureteral reimplantation.     

Terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy in cadaveric kidney transplantation

The presence of a nonfunctional bladder is a common finding in some patients with end-stage renal disease in whom transplantation is a proposed option. Over the last 20 years, we have performed six terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomies for urinary drainage during kidney transplantation. Neurogenic bladder in five patients and exstrophy in one patient prohibited use of the bladder. Four long-term graft survivors (19 months and 4, 10, and 20 years) experienced no short-term problems with the procedure, but two episodes of pyelonephritis have occurred. In our patients no graft dysfunction or loss could be attributed to infection, and no stomal stenosis or revision has occurred. We conclude that terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy is feasible using normal-caliber ureters, and is a safe, effective means of urinary drainage during kidney transplantation when the bladder is not available. It also eliminates the necessity of preparatory bowel surgery that has its attendant risk of contamination in an immunocompromised patient.     

Experimental data on the application of a stoma prothesis in cutaneous ureterostomy

Summary The main problem with urinary diversion via cutaneous ureterostomy is stomal stenosis. Results with experimental and clinical implants of carbon polymer stoma prostheses (max. clinical observation period: 31 months) for vesicostomies have encouraged us to find out whether implants of this material would be suitable for cutaneous ureterostomies as well. The first step was dilatation of the ureters in 16 mongrel dogs, 4 mini pigs and 4 sheep. This was done by knotting a thread over a splint which had been introduced into the ureter. After 7 days the ureter was ligated prevesically and a carbon polymer stoma was implanted into the ureter.37 of the 48 stoma implants were well tolerated and provided water tight urinary drainage; slight encrustation occurred but, radiologically, a smooth flow of contrast medium was seen. Ten of these 37 cases had transient urinary leakage. Eleven of the 48 stoma implants were unsuccessful because of insufficient healing, urinary extravasation, parastomal inflammation or severe encrustations.The results of these experiments on animals would seem to justify initial clinical use. It is conceiveable that in this way stomal stenosis of the cutaneous ureterostomy can be avoided.     

Modified technique for improving tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy by Ariyoshi method

Objectives:   The cutaneous ureterostomy is the simplest urinary diversion method; however, it often causes stomal stenosis, requiring sustained catheterization with regular catheter exchange. In an attempt to prevent stomal stenosis after surgery, the fascia (S-U fascia) between the spermatic cords and the ureters, which is usually cut off, was preserved. The remaining capillaries in the fascia could supply blood to the ureters, which is one of the most important factors for ureter patency.
Methods:   In 58 patients (93 renal units) undergoing cutaneous ureterostomy, 36 patients (66 renal units) were treated by the modified technique.
Results:   The surgeries carried out with the modified technique were significantly different in the type of operation, the side relationship, and the catheter-free rate using the univariate analysis by means of the predicted tests, in comparison with 22 patients (27 renal units) that were treated with the conventional technique. Multivariate analysis for the type of operation determined that of the side relationship and the method, only the latter was a significant factor. The modified method allowed ∼90% of the patients to have a catheter-free life; otherwise 74% of the patients had stomal stenosis, followed by catheterization.
Conclusion:   The presented cutaneous ureterostomy technique to preserve the fascia is useful not only to prevent stomal stenosis and maintaining good quality of life without catheterization, but also to apply to other types of ureter surgery.     

Transureteroureterostomy and terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy in advanced pelvic malignancies.

Transureteroureterostomy was combined with terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy, without complications, in 8 patients with advanced pelvic malignancy and a poor prognosis. Urinary diversion was palliative in all patients and followed pelvic exenteration in 4, debulking of pelvic tumor in 2 and radical cystectomy in 1, while 1 had inoperable bladder cancer. All patients had at least unilateral hydroureteronephrosis preoperatively. In each case a postoperative excretory urogram revealed significant improvement of the hydroureteronephrosis and the serum creatinine improved or stabilized. No patient had ureteral stomal stenosis or retraction. Mean survival was 5 months, with the longest survival being 1 year. Transureteroureterostomy in conjunction with terminal loop cutaneous ureterostomy is an effective technique of urinary diversion in selected patients with a poor prognosis and advanced pelvic malignancy, decreasing operative time while avoiding the morbidity associated with a ureterointestinal operation or nephrostomy.     

Bilateral ureterocutaneostomy with modified stoma: long-term follow-up

Ileal conduit and orthotopic bladder substitution have been the preferred options for urinary diversion after cystectomy. Self-catheterisation has revolutionised the management of neuropathic bladder. However, ureterocutaneostomy (cutaneous ureterostomy) described as a means of supravesical urinary diversion 40 years ago still has a definite role for both temporary and permanent diversion particularly in the developing countries. We present a small series of cutaneous ureterostomies performed in four children who have now grown up to become adults without being undiverted. We discuss the technique that we used to modify the stoma, which helped prevent stomal complications over the long term. Our results we believe will rekindle the interest in cutaneous ureterostomy as a viable option for permanent urinary diversion. Four children between ages 2 and 16 years had bilateral side-to-side single stoma tubeless end cutaneous ureterostomy as a primary procedure for permanent urinary diversion. The stoma was modified to prevent retraction and stenosis. Long-term follow-up is presented. All the children have grown up to become adults with their ureterocutaneostomies functioning very well. There have been no biochemical or mechanical complications. Only one out of four stomas had to be refashioned. A simple collection device has proved successful in maintaining a watertight drainage system without apparent problems. Bilateral side-to-side single stoma end cutaneous ureterostomy with modification of the stoma by a plastic surgical technique can help achieve a non-retracting stoma on which a collection device can snuggly fit. It is a viable option for permanent urinary diversion without any significant complications. It is simple, easy and highly practical way of managing urinary diversion especially in the developing countries.     

Biocarbon ureterostomy device for urinary diversion. Multicenter clinical trial

The bioCarbon ureterostomy device is a stomal prosthesis for upper tract urinary diversion that has had preliminary successes in animal and human trials in Europe and Peru. Implantation of a pure carbon stomal prosthesis offers the potential advantages of high biocompatibility, lack of encrustation, and elimination of stomal stenosis which is frequently associated with cutaneous ureterostomy. Nine bioCarbon ureterostomy devices were implanted from August, 1984 through July, 1985. Although successful implantation was achieved in 2 patients, the complication rate was high. The bioCarbon ureterostomy device has potential as an alternative form of urinary diversion. However, significant problems need to be remedied before it can be recommended for routine clinical application.     

Improved technique of tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy and results of permanent urinary diversion

An improved technique of tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy through a single stoma was devised by modifing the traditional cutaneous ureterostomy. Using this method, urinary diversions were performed on 12 cases with malignancies: 6 had radical cystectomy and the other 6 had pelvic exenteration. Normal bilateral ureters were observed in 11 cases in preoperative intravenous pyelography. Stomal stenosis was found in 1 case (8.3%) requiring operative stomal revision. Generally satisfactory results were obtained. This method could lower the incidence of complications. A long-term follow-up is needed, but 2 cases who have survived for more than 4 years since the operation have shown excellent results. It was thought that it would be difficult to perform tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy on normal-sized ureters, but our clinical results indicate that this method may be able to provide permanent urinary diversion.     

Muco-cutaneous ureterostomy: an experimental study for prevention of stomal stenosis using autograft of vaginal vestibular mucosa

To prevent dermal invasion which causes gradual stomal stenosis in cutaneous ureterostomy, transplantation of autologous vaginal vestibular mucosa around the ureteral opening was examined in 9 female dogs. Results of a full-thickness graft to a full-thickness skin bed were hopeful. Though surface keratinization occurred, the thick graft survived well on the abdomen without obvious shrinkage, and the ureteral patency was maintained through the follow-up period with an average of 18 months. This method seemed to be applicable to clinical patients and to dog experiments as a model for separate renal function study.     

A case of uretero-aortic fistula after the urinary diversion

We report a case of a patient with a fistula between left ureter and abdominal aorta. The patient was a 84-year-old male who had undergone total cystectomy with a single stoma cutaneous ureterostomy for the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. His postoperative course was complicated by stenosis of the stomal orifices, which was treated with two silicone tubes. Twelve years after the operation, massive arterial bleeding occurred from the cutaneous ureterostomy, which was caused by left ureteral-abdominal aortic aneurysm fistula due to prolonged ureteral stenting. Graft replacement for abdominal aortic aneurysm and percutaneous left nephrostomy were performed, but he died 3 months following the operation due to multiple organ failure. Ureteroarterial fistula after the urinary diversion can occur in association with prolonged ureteral stenting, radiation therapy, and vascular pathology. Identification of a fistula is often difficult and requires the physician to be highly alert and vigilant.     

Conversion from external appliance wearing or internal urinary diversion to a continent urinary reservoir (Florida pouch I and II): surgical technique, indications and complications.

A total of 20 patients with diversion requiring an external appliance or internal urinary diversion underwent conversion to a continent urinary reservoir (Florida pouch I or II). All patients subsequently reported an improvement in the quality of life and expressed satisfaction with the new urinary diversion procedure. Of the patients 15 (75%) previously had an ileal conduit, while 1 (5%) had undergone ureterosigmoidostomy, 1 (5%) had cutaneous ureterostomy, 1 (5%) had a suprapubic tube, 1 (5%) had a sigmoid conduit and 1 (5%) had a cecal conduit. After the original diversion 3 patients (15%) had recurrent urinary infections, 3 had complications related to the stoma and external appliance (stenosis and skin dermatitis) and 5 (25%) had ureteral obstruction in 7 ureters. A total of 17 patients with conduits (85%) underwent conversion via different surgical technical aspects depending on the status of the intestinal segment from the conduit and the function of the ureteral reimplantation: in 14 the conduit was discarded or was used only to patch the newly created Florida I colonic pouch, while in 6 the conduit was preserved and 9 ureterointestinal reimplantations were left undisturbed (Florida pouch II). Among 7 ureters preoperatively obstructed (original diversion), reimplanting them into the pouch failed to prevent further renal damage in 5 (71%). Three renal units required nephrectomy, 2 kidneys deteriorated and 2 recovered renal function after percutaneous balloon dilation and stenting. Among 31 preoperatively nonobstructed renoureteral units (original diversion), 22 were reimplanted into the colonic reservoir. One of these units (4.2%) became obstructed postoperatively and 3 (13.5%) presently have reflux. The 10 reimplantations left undisturbed in the detubularized conduit drain satisfactorily without postoperative obstruction and in 6 reflux has not been demonstrated. Renal function (serum creatinine) is preserved in all patients but 15 (75%) have hyperchloremia of mild degree. Two patients (10%) have acidosis and 1 (5%) of these had low red blood cell folic acid. Conversion of an external or internal diversion to a continent colonic urinary reservoir (Florida pouch I or II) can be successful and improve the quality of life of the patient. The functioning renal units that were preoperatively obstructed were associated with a high failure rate (71%) after reimplantation. Metabolic alterations will require long-term followup, and are particularly worrisome in children and young adults.     

Renal transplantation in children with severe lower urinary tract dysfunction

PURPOSE: Renal transplantation in children with end stage renal disease due to congenital urological malformations has traditionally been associated with a poor outcome compared to transplantation in those with a normal urinary tract. In addition, the optimal urological treatment for such children remains unclear. To address these issues, we retrospectively reviewed our experience with renal transplantation in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1998, 12 boys and 6 girls a mean age of 8.4 years with a severe dysfunctional lower urinary tract underwent a total of 15 living related and 6 cadaveric renal transplantations. Urological anomalies included posterior urethral valves in 8 cases, urogenital sinus anomalies in 4, the prune-belly syndrome in 2, and complete bladder duplication, ureterocele, lipomeningocele and the VATER syndrome in 1 each. In 11 children (61%) bladder augmentation or continent urinary diversion was performed, 2 (11%) have an intestinal conduit and 5 (28%) have a transplant into the native bladder. RESULTS: In this group patient and overall allograft survival was 100 and 81%, respectively. These values were the same in all children who underwent renal transplantation at our center during this era. In the 17 children with a functioning transplant mean serum creatinine was 1.4 mg./dl. Technical complications occurred in 4 patients (22%), including transplant ureteral obstruction in 2 as well as intestinal conduit stomal stenosis and Mitrofanoff stomal incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Renal transplantation may be successfully performed in children with end stage renal disease due to severe lower urinary tract dysfunction. Bladder reconstruction, which may be required in the majority of these cases, appears to be safe when performed before or after the transplant. A multidisciplinary team approach to surgery is advantageous.     

Incontinent urinary diversion]

We analyzed 237 patients who underwent total cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion or cutaneous ureterostomy at the Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka. One-hundred and eighty-eight patients underwent ileal conduit diversion and 49 patients underwent cutaneous ureterostomy. No patient died within 30 days after the operation, but two patients who underwent ileal conduit diversion died of postoperative complications within 2 months. Early complications occurred in 94 patients (50%) in the ileal conduit group and in 18 patients (37%) in the ureterostomy group. Late complications occurred in 85 patients (45%) in the ileal conduit group and in 23 patients (47%) in the ureterostomy group. Frequent early complications in the ileal conduit group were wound infection (29%), and intestinal complications (13%) which included ileus and upper urinary tract complications (12%). The most frequent late complications were stomal complications (26%) which included peristomal dermatitis stomal stenosis, parastomal hernia, and stomal prolapse, and upper urinary tract complications which were noted in 27 patients (14%).     

A new modification of tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy following radical cystectomy

Purpose

Cutaneous ureterostomy is a well-established surgical technique of incontinent urinary diversion treatment. However, stoma stenosis limits widespread utilization of this technique. We present our modification of constructing single-site tubeless cutaneous ureterostomy aiming to reduce stomal complications and improve catheter-free rate of those patients.

Materials and methods

In 2016–2017, 30 patients with 60 renal units underwent modified and 30 patients with 60 renal units standard technique. The main differences of our method from previously described techniques were the preservation of parietal peritoneum and fixation of ureteral orifices one to another. Catheter-free rate was calculated in all patients with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. In total, 52 patients, 26 from the modified cutaneous ureterostomy group, and 26 from the standard cutaneous ureterostomy group were available for the final analysis.

Results

The patients’ mean age was 63.1 years. The median follow-up period was 25.8 months (ranging from 1–37 months). The catheter-free rate was achieved 76.9% (20 patients) in the modified group compared to 42.3% (11 patients) in the standard group (P value?=?0.013). No statistically significant differences were observed between two groups for late complications and readmission rates.

Conclusions

Our technique of single-site-modified cutaneous ureterostomy is a safe and simple surgical technique with similar postoperative complications rate and better catheter-free rate compared to standard cutaneous ureterostomy. We believe that this technique could be a method of choice not only for candidates for cutaneous ureterostomy but also for selected patients for ileal conduit.

     

Indications for cutaneous ureterostomy. Experience with 117 cases (author's transl)]

74 cases of cutaneous ureterostomy and 22 cases of in situ fistula of the ureter are reviewed. Cutaneous ureterostomy was mostly carried out as a palliative procedure in cases of far advanced bladder or gynecological cancers. 13 patients had complications that required surgical intervention (7 ureteral stricture, 6 cases of pyonephroses caused by stone formation). The in situ fistula mostly served as temporary urinary diversion before definitive reconstructive surgery of the urinary tract was feasible. All patients had chronic urinary tract infection. We consider ureterostomy in situ and cutaneous ureterostomy as safe, rewarding procedures for this type of patients.