Percutaneous nephrostomy and antegrade ureteral stent insertion

Sixty consecutive percutaneous nephrostomies were attempted in 37 patients with a 97-per cent success rate. The patients ranged in age from three to seventy-three years. Twenty-eight attempted nephrostomies were bilateral and 32 unilateral. When possible, the percutaneous nephrostomies were converted into internal ureteral stents by antegrade techniques. In each case of apparent complete ureteral obstruction, the area was successfully negotiated, and an indwelling ureteral stent was placed. In 2 patients, combined antegrade and retrograde techniques were required for successful internal stent placement. There was one failure because of a subcapsular hematoma resulting from multiple punctures with an l8-gauge needle. One major complication occurred when a segmental branch of the renal artery was injured by the nephrostomy catheter.     

Ureteral drainage with the Gibbons indwelling ureteral stent (author's transl)]

The technique of endoscopically placing the Gibbons indwelling stent into the obstructed ureter is described. This technique offers several advantages, especially in managing poor-risk patients whose ureters are obstructed: 1. endoscopic placement of the ureteral stent is associated with less morbidity and mortality than supravesical diversion; 2. quality of life is much less reduced than in supravesical diversion; 3. it is readily reversible; 4 the ureteral stent does not interfere with subsequent operation and offers several advantages over PVC-splints and other materials used for long term ureteral drainage. The placement of an indwelling stent sometimes causes technical problems but complications are rare. 21 Gibbons indwelling ureteral stents have been placed in obstructed ureters of 16 patients at the age of 25--74 years. Our technique, indications, results and complications are described herein.     

SIMPLIFIED URETERAL STENT PLACEMENT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A URETERAL ACCESS SHEATH

PURPOSE: When using a ureteral access sheath following a ureteroscopic procedure, placement of an internal ureteral stent can be simplified by inserting the stent through the sheath without the need to reinsert the cystoscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An indwelling ureteral stent with the pull string attached is inserted over the guide wire into the access sheath followed by the pusher. The guide wire is partially withdrawn allowing the stent to form a coil in the renal pelvis, using the pull string to adjust the stent position. The fluoroscopy unit is then focused onto the bladder and the guide wire is slowly withdrawn until its tip is at the level of pubic symphysis. The pusher and guide wire are then removed and the pull string is cut at the urethral meatus. RESULTS: Among 71 cases studied 60 required ureteral stent placement. In 43 of the 60 cases (72%) the ureteral access sheath greatly facilitated ureteroscopy, and a stent was placed through the access sheath in 34 (79%). Stent placement through the access sheath was successful in all cases, with an average time saving of 2.3 minutes per case, compared to placing the stent by reinserting a cystoscope. CONCLUSIONS: If an access sheath has already been placed during a ureteroscopic procedure and stent insertion is deemed necessary, the stent can be easily placed through the access sheath under fluoroscopic guidance without the need to reinsert the cystoscope. Our experience suggests that all urologists who routinely perform ureteroscopic procedures can easily master this timesaving technique.     

Fluoroscopy guided retrograde ureteral stent insertion in patients with a ureteroileal urinary conduit: method and results

PURPOSE: We evaluated retrograde double pigtail stent placement in patients with ureteroileal anastomosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Procedures were performed under digital C-arm fluoroscopic guidance and the patient under sedation analgesia. Radiography of the conduit was done to delineate urinary diversion anatomy and identify ureteral reflux. A purpose designed, angled tip catheter was used to direct a straight glide wire across the ureteroileal anastomosis. The glide wire was exchanged for a stiff guide wire for stent placement. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical records of 7 men and 5 women with a mean age of 54.3 years in a 7-year period. In 11 patients a new stent was placed because of ureteroileal stricture in 5, anastomotic leakage in 3, ureterolithiasis in 2 and recurrent malignancy in 1. RESULTS: New stent placement was successful in 10 of the 11 patients (90.9%, 13 of 16 ureters or 81.3%). Stent placement was successful in the 8 ureters in which reflux was noted on radiography of the conduit and in 5 of the 9 (55.6%) in which no reflux was noted. Stent replacement was accomplished in all 22 ureters (6 patients) in which it was attempted. Mean radiological screening time for new stent placement was 13.3 minutes (range 4.7 to 19.7), while for exchange it was 6.4 minutes (range 0.8 to 15.1). There were no immediate complications. CONCLUSIONS: This technique represents a useful approach to the ureter and should be considered an alternative to percutaneous nephrostomy and surgical revision. The approach is also useful for other ureteral procedures, including stone or migrated stent retrieval.     

Endoscopic management of ureteral complications following renal transplantation

Management of ureteral complications after kidney transplantation can be done with a surgical, percutaneous, or endoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to determine the success rate of the endoscopic retrograde approach for the management of these complications following renal transplantation. We reviewed the records of 25 patients who underwent endoscopic management of ureteral complications after renal transplant between 1995 and 2005. Variables examined included timing of event following transplant, type of ureteral complication, equipment implemented in the procedure, operating time, success in stent placement, and complications. Initial approach was via rigid cystoscopy followed by flexible cystoscopy if needed. Initial attempts to intubate the ureteral orifice were by a flexible-tipped guide wire, and occasionally an angiocatheter guide was used for ultimate wire placement. Stents were positioned with fluoroscopic and direct visual guidance. Of 25 patients evaluated, five had a ureteral anastomotic leak with a mean time of presentation of 16.8 days. The remaining 20 patients suffered from ureteral obstruction revealed by hydronephrosis on a renal ultrasound prompted by a rising creatinine. Mean time of onset was 48 months. Although each was initially approached with rigid cystoscopy, 12 were converted to flexible cystoscopy for easier access to the ureteral orifice. Twenty of the 25 patients had successful stent placement with three failures in the ureteral obstruction group and two failures in the leakage group. Average operative time was 42 minutes. No intraoperative complications were experienced. Resolution of hydronephrosis in those with preoperative obstruction was noted and all stented urinary leaks resolved.     

侵犯输尿管口型膀胱癌电切术中放置输尿管支架的技术改良

目的 研究改良后的经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术术中放置输尿管支架技术的有效性和安全性.方法 共选取首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院泌尿外科于2014年3月-2016年6月收治的侵犯输尿管管口的肌层浸润性膀胱癌患者17例,利用随机数字表法将患者分为两组:(1)改良组(A组,10例),将输尿管开口部位的肿瘤切至膀胱肌层暴露输尿管开口后,利用电切镜电切襻通道放置输尿管支架管;(2)对照组(B组,7例),同法暴露输尿管开口后,换用普通膀胱镜进行输尿管支架管置入.观察两组患者人口学及肿瘤学基线情况以及相关手术指标,利用t检验、秩和检验和Fisher精确检验对两组数据进行对比研究.结果 A、B两组间肿瘤分期、分级以及最大直径等方面差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).手术时间A组明显短于B组[分别为(39.5±14.8) min和(59.3±16.2)min,P=0.020)],术中视野清晰度评分A组明显优于B组[分别为(7.7±1.3)分和(5.9±1.2)分,P=0.010)].手术效果及并发症发病率方面两组之间差异无统计学意义.结论 通过电切镜直接置管法,可以有效提高经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术中电切输尿管口后放置输尿管支架管的效率,且不增加手术风险.     

双J管内引流在尿路手术中的应用（附64例报告）

为探讨双Ｊ管内引流在尿路手术中的应用效果，于１９９０年４月～１９９４年１２月，在尿路手术中采用国产ＰＶＣ双Ｊ管内引流６４例。病种包括：复杂性尿路结石、输尿管狭窄、肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄和输尿管膀胱移植等。置管方法分手术中和内窥镜下置管二种。置管引流时间１周～２年。置管引流后，伤口漏尿、伤口感染等手术并发症减少。对置管后对上尿路的影响、置管的适应证、置管引流的时间和并发症进行了讨论。认为采用双Ｊ管内引流具有操作简便、引流效果好、并发症少等优点，宜推广使用。     

上尿路取石术后内、外引流方式的比较

目的 :比较上尿路取石术后置内支架引流与外支架引流的优劣。方法 :回顾性调查上尿路取石术后双 J管内引流 46例和外引流 52例的术后恢复及并发症情况 ,并进行统计学处理。结果 :内引流组术后住院天数及腹膜后引流天数明显低于外引流组 ( P <0 .0 1 ) ,术后并发症总发生率内引流组 ( 1 2 .76% )也明显低于外引流组 ( 2 8.85% )。结论 :上尿路取石术后置内引流优于外引流 ,但在肾功能不良、出血较多、下尿路有梗阻和感染时置外引流或同时置内、外引流更为安全可靠。     

Percutaneous nephrostomy versus the placement of double pigtail ureteral stent for the treatment of postrenal failure secondary to malignancies]

From August 1989 through September 1991 we performed percutaneous nephrostomy under ultrasonic guidance in 26 kidneys of 25 patients. We also indwelled double pigtail ureteral stents by endoscopy in 14 kidneys of 13 patients. No patients died because of renal failure. The survival was dependent on progression of primary disease and performance status. Neither significant nor life-threatening complications were encountered. The difference in the improvement of renal function between nephrostomy group and stent group was not statistically significant. Although the indwelling ureteral stent method requires no external drainage bag, this method has certain drawback such as occasional obstruction of stent. Especially in poor risk patients, percutaneous nephrostomy technique seems to be better than placement of double pigtail ureteral stent in the treatment of postrenal failure secondary to malignancies.     

KNOTTED URETERAL STENT: A MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNIQUE FOR REMOVAL

Purpose

We describe a useful technique for untying a knotted ureteral catheter.

Materials and Methods

An Amplatz super stiff guide wire was advanced through the lumen of the stent and with uniform force the knot was untied.

Results

The knot was untied and the stent was removed. A nephrostomy tube or other more invasive techniques for removal were avoided.

Conclusions

An Amplatz super stiff guide wire passed retrograde via the ureteral stent lumen should be considered as a valid alternative to percutaneous removal of a knotted ureteral stent.     

Experience with indwelling ureteral stent catheters.

A new indwelling ureteral stent to provide long-term ureteral drainage is described. This radiopaque stent is manufactured of non-reactive, non-collapsible tubing and is designed to resist downward expulsion and upward migration. Internal stent diversion offers advantages in managing patients whose ureters are obstructed by malignancy. 1) Endoscopic placement of the ureteral stent is associated with less morbidity and mortality than supravesical diversion. 2) Unilateral obstruction can be corrected at the time of diagnosis, thus ensuring that later supravesical diversion will not be necessary. 3) If time proves that the urinary diversion is no longer desirable in terms of quality of life, the stent can be removed.     

Usefulness of short-term retrievable ureteral stent in pediatric laparoscopic pyeloplasty

PURPOSE: Methods of stenting after laparoscopic pyeloplasty have included indwelling Double-J stents and percutaneous nephrostomy tubes. The disadvantages of these methods are that they necessitate a second surgery for stent removal or require an external drainage bag. To circumvent these issues, the tolerance, safety and outcomes of using a Double-J ureteral stent with a dangler, permitting early office removal, was investigated in a series of pediatric laparoscopic pyeloplasties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from a consecutive series of pediatric patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasties were reviewed. Indications for surgery included ipsilateral flank pain with severe hydronephrosis (12 patients), recurrent pyelonephritis with severe hydronephrosis (2), and hematuria and flank pain (6). All patients were discharged home within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure with prophylactic oral antibiotics. The stent was removed by postoperative day 18 during a followup office visit. Patient tolerance of the indwelling stent, outpatient removal and success of pyeloplasty were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty by 1 surgeon (LAB) between 2001 and 2005. All patients underwent cystoscopy and retrograde Double-J ureteral stent placement before pyeloplasty under the same anesthesia. Mean patient age at operation was 11.3 years (median 11.3, range 4.6 to 17.2). Stents were left indwelling for a mean of 10.3 days (median 10, range 7 to 18). All patients tolerated the Double-J stent well, with 2 requiring anticholinergic therapy for mild urgency symptoms and 1 demonstrating urinary tract infection. All patients tolerated outpatient stent removal via the dangler at the office without discomfort. One patient was lost to followup. At a mean followup of 1.04 years (range 0.1 to 2.88) 17 of 19 patients (89%) had resolution of flank pain/urinary tract infections, with sonographic improvement in hydronephrosis with or without endoscopic intervention. Six patients (30%) had flank pain with or without continuous hydronephrosis and required re-stenting, and 3 also required balloon dilation. Of these 6 patients 2 (10%) had recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction and required open pyeloplasty. All patients are now clinically and radiologically unobstructed and asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty with indwelling Double-J ureteral stent with a dangler is successful and the stent is well tolerated. Whether the duration of ureteral stenting affects the surgical success will require further controlled long-term studies.     

Manual Replacement of Double J Stent Without Fluoroscopy: (Double j stent replacement)

It is not always possible to replace a ureteric stent with a new one due to the fact that tumoral effect increases in ureter with time. We present our experience of manual replacement of double J stent without fluoroscopy. The data from 23 female patients who underwent double J stent replacement with a total of 110 times was retrospectively analyzed. The steps of technique are as follows: take out distal end of the double J stent through urethra to external urethral meatus cystoscopically, insert a 0.035-inch guide wire through double J stent to the renal pelvis or intra pelvicaliceal system, take out old double J stent over guide wire, slide new stent over guide wire and at external meatus level take out guide wire while gently sliding distal end of double J stent over guide wire into urethra. The mean age was 58.39 ± 9.21 years. Cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer were diagnosed in 16, 4, and 3 patients respectively. The mean follow-up and indwelling period were 13.8 ± 5.2, 3.8 ± 0.6 months, respectively. Increased pelvicaliceal dilatation, serum creatinine level, or renal parenchymal loss was not observed. Replacement of double J stents with this technique is easy and can be used successfully in distal ureteral obstructions.Key words: Gynecologic malignancies, Double J stent, Stent replacement, Ureteral stent, Ureteral obstructionPatients with malignant ureteric obstruction often have a poor life expectancy, and renal failure may develop as a result of urinary obstruction. The obstruction can be relieved by placement of a percutaneous nephrostomy tube or a ureteric stent. After Zimskind et al described ureteral stents first in 1967,¹ stents have been become widely used to eliminate the obstruction due to malignant or benign causes in any level of ureter for internal urinary diversion.Though there are many kinds of stents that are being produced, it is not always possible to get special double J stents, such as metallic, for malignant obstructions in every case. In addition to that, standard double J stents are used commonly in medical centers.The main trouble is that these standard stents have to be replaced within 4–6 months to avoid stent related complications such as encrustation, stone formation, obstruction, or infection.² But especially in obstructions caused by malignancies, it is not always possible to place the new stent after removal of the old one. We report our experience of replacement of double J stents with our technique, applied on 23 female patients with malignant ureteric obstruction.     

Stenturia: An unusual manifestation of spontaneous ureteral stent fragmentation.

Two patients presented with passage of worm-like stent fragments in the urine. The first had undergone attempted percutaneous removal of left renal calculus and ureteral stenting 4 months prior to presentation. The second had left-sided stent placement for obstructive anuria on account of bilateral renal calculi 3 months earlier. The stents had fragmented into multiple pieces over a mean indwelling time of only 3.5 months. Apart from calculus disease, both patients had documented urinary tract infection. Stent fragmentation is a relatively rare (0.3%) but major complication. However, spontaneous excretion of these fragments has not been hitherto reported. These cases of rapid stent disintegration highlight the need for closer monitoring of the indwelling stents, especially in patients with calculus disease and associated persistent infection. In such patients the stent should probably be changed within 3 months.     

Gibbons ureteral stent in renal transplant recipients.

The Gibbons indwelling ureteral stent was used in 5 renal recipients. Early post-operative obstructions at the ureterovesical junction in 2 cases and 1 at the ureteroplevic junction were treated by placing the stent through an open cystostomy. Late strictures were treated in 2 patients by inserting the stent endoscopically. It was also used to stent a ureteroureterostomy. After removal of the stent in 2 of 3 patients, no further treatment of the obstriction was required. In the third case it provided time to allow the steroid dose to be lowered so definitive repair could be undertaken. One stent has remained patent for fourteen months. The Gibbons stent appears to be a valuable new tool in the treatment of post-transplant ureteral obstruction.     

Percutaneous introduction of double-J ureteral stents

Insertion of percutaneous indwelling ureteral stents was performed or attempted in 10 patients with ureteral obstruction or postoperative urinary extravasation. All patients had previously sustained an unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde attempt. The percutaneous double-J stent was inserted anatomically correctly in 8 (73%) cases and was functionally successful in 7 (64%). No significant complications occurred. As the percutaneous indwelling ureteral stent offers many advantages, i.e. little discomfort to the patient and none or insignificant complications, we want to advocate for the use of this method whenever the endoscopic technique fails.     

金属支架管在解除恶性输尿管梗阻中的疗效评价

目的 评估金属支架管在解除恶性肿瘤所致输尿管梗阻中的临床疗效及影响因素分析.方法 回顾性分析2012年10月至2015年4月在本院留置金属支架管患者47例,根据治疗结果将47例患者分成成功组(n=39)与失败组(n=8),其中采用经尿道逆行留置金属支架管40例,经皮肾顺行留置金属支架管7例,通过术后并发症、血清肌酐、肾盂分离程度、支架管留置的时间及失败率来评估支架管的有效性,通过两组之间的比较分析性别、手术方式及恶性肿瘤类别与失败率之间的相关性.结果 47例患者共留置金属支架管54根,留置后输尿管梗阻解除率100％,患者支架相关并发症发生率为59％(28/47),失败率为17％ (8/47),术后并发症与失败发生率存在一定相关性,与性别、手术方式及恶性肿瘤类别无相关性(P＞0.05).平均随访时间为8个月,支架管平均留置时间为6个月左右,留置时间最长1年半.结论 金属支架管能有效的解除恶性肿瘤所致的输尿管梗阻并防止肾功能进一步恶化,是目前解除恶性输尿管梗阻的一种有效的治疗方案.     

A new technique of ureteric catheterization

Insertion of an indwelling stent catheter or ureteric catheterization using a new guide wire (the Radiofocus guide wire) was carried out in a total of 24 subjects. The subjects comprised 16 patients in whom insertion of a conventional guide wire and ureteric catheter was not possible due to previous use of an indwelling stent catheter for extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), 2 cases in whom a conventional guide wire could not be inserted due to post-ESWL formation of a stone street, 4 patients with ureteric stenosis and 2 patients with normal ureters in whom catheterization was impossible by the usual methods. Insertion of a Radifocus guide wire into the renal pelvis was successfully accomplished in all 24 cases and an indwelling catheter could be passed in 21 cases. These results suggest that the Radifocus guide wire should make a useful contribution to ESWL therapy. It can also be applied to retrograde pyelography, ureteric obstruction, and the dilation of ureteric stenosis.     

Retrospective analysis of the long-term indwelling ureteral stent

An indwelling ureteral stent is commonly used for relief of ureteral obstruction. However, few reports have documented the frequency of febrile urinary tract infection and changes in renal function in patients with long-term ureteral stent placement. Here we report our experience with patients who had undergone long-term placement of ureteral stents. Between January 2005 and March 2011, we performed exchange of ureteral stents in 25 patients for more than one year. The mean serum creatinine level at the baseline, after stent placement, and 1 year later was 2.10, 1.24, and 1.39 mg/dl, respectively. In 14 of the patients, 39 episodes of febrile urinary tract infection occurred. Among a total of 1,055 stent exchanges, 39 episodes (3.7%) of stent encrustation occurred. Two patients in whom stents had been forgotten suffered septic shock. The serum creatinine level following a long placement period did not change significantly, and of the patients whose hydronephrosis remained after stent placement, the risk of febrile urinary tract infection rises. Our results suggest that ureteral stents could be indwelt for a fairly long period of time without major complications as long as they were carefully followed up and regularly exchanged.     

A “bridge” technique to replace the obstructed single-J stent in the patient with ileal conduit urinary diversion: a case report

The ureteroileal anastomotic stricture is a complication of ileal conduit urinary diversion. To prevent the hydronephrosis and protect the renal function, a single-J ureteral stent may be needed. However, the most common complication of these patients is single-J stent obstruction. To solve this problem, we describe an easy, useful and low-cost technique to replace the obstructed ureteral stent under radiographic guidance without intervention by flexible cystoscopy or percutaneous nephrostomy. The key steps of our procedure are to identify the location of the stricture, to place the super smooth guide wire into pinhole of the obstructed single-J stent and to get the super smooth guide wire and 5-Fr ureteral catheter across the stricture. Our case was a 40-year-old male patient who was diagnosed as pelvic lipomatosis and received ileal conduit urinary diversion 3 years ago. The left-side ureteroileal anastomotic stricture occurred 1 year after surgery. He refused to repair the stricture by open or other minimal invasive surgery. He regularly changed his ureteral stent with intervals of three months. As the stent was obstructed by the stone, the guide wire couldn’t be inserted through the primary ureteral stent. We used our “bridge” technique to solve his problem successfully. No bleeding and no urinary tract infection were observed after intervention. The urine from the ureteral stent was fluent. We think that this “bridge” technique may be a good choice for the replacement of the obstructed single-J stent in the patients of ileal conduit urinary diversion.