Endourologic management of benign ureteral strictures with and without compromised vascular supply

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively assess the efficacy of balloon dilation, endopyelotomy/ureterotomy, and stenting alone in the management of benign ureteral strictures with intact or compromised vascular supply. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients with benign ureteral strictures were assessed after at least a 2-year follow-up (range 2 to 16 years, mean 6.3). Balloon dilation was performed in 81, endopyelotomy/ureterotomy with temporary stenting in 27, and ureteral stenting alone in 6 patients. Ureteral strictures were divided into strictures with intact or with compromised vascular supply. RESULTS: Balloon dilation was successful in short ureteral strictures with intact vascular supply in 33 of 37 (89.2%), but only in 3 of 8 (37.5%) long ureteral strictures and in 1 of 2 (50%) recurrent ureteropelvic junction strictures. Balloon dilation was less successful when the vascular supply was compromised in 2 (40%) of 5 short strictures, 1 (16.7%) of 6 long strictures, and 2 (33.3%) of 6 recurrent ureteropelvic junction strictures. Endopyelotomy/ureterotomy was successful in 17 (89.5%) of 19 strictures with compromised vascular supply. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dilation is recommended for management of short strictures with intact vascular supply. Endoureterotomy with stenting is recommended for all long ureteral strictures, for ureteropelvic junction stenoses, and for short ureteral strictures with compromised vascular supply and benign underlying etiology.     

Antegrade percutaneous dilation of ureteral strictures after kidney transplantation

Ureteral obstruction after renal transplantation is due mostly to retroperitoneal fibrosis in the area of surgical dissection, and pyeloureterostomy is the treatment of choice for such an obstruction. For confined strictures, especially at the site of the ureteroneocystostomy, endoscopic dilation may be a good alternative. Antegrade percutaneous dilation was used to treat six patients with ureteral stricture after kidney transplantation. Four patients had stricture at the ureterovesical junction, one a confined midureteral stricture, and one a secondary stricture at the site of pyeloureterostomy. Percutaneous antegrade dilation of the stricture to 14 Fr with semirigid fascial dilators and external ureteral stenting with a 12-Fr silicon splint for 6 weeks was successful in the four patients with ureterovesical junction obstruction but not in the two other patients. Results were judged on the basis of serum creatinine concentration, renal ultrasonography, and intravenous urography (IVU). The follow-up period was 12–20 months (mean 15 months). None of the six patients died and perioperative morbidity was minimal.     

Management of ureteroscopic injuries

Ureteroscopy is an important technique in the management of calculous disease and ureteral lesions but it appears to have a greater potential for injury than percutaneous nephroscopy. In 2 years 4 patients with severe ureteroscopic injuries were treated. In 3 patients complete obstruction of the ureter occurred, and 1 had a major ureteral tear, prolonged urinary extravasation and infection. Even in the presence of total ureteral occlusion patients with short strictures were managed successfully percutaneously but the 2 patients with longer strictures were not. Previous surgery on the ureter or pelvic surgery and radiation therapy appear to be negative factors that affect adversely the ureteral blood supply, and potentiate poor healing and scarring. Nephrostomy tube drainage and ureteral stenting after ureteral dilation appear to be important steps in the percutaneous management of these patients.     

Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser endoureterotomy for the treatment of transplant kidney ureteral strictures

BACKGROUND: The management of ureteral strictures in transplanted kidney is challenging. Open surgical treatment is effective but entails significant convalescence. Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser endoureterotomy is useful for other types of ureteral obstruction, and we aimed to assess its long-term success for strictures of transplant kidney ureters. METHODS: We reviewed the course of 12 kidney transplant patients managed with Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy and/or percutaneous ureteroscopic balloon dilatation for ureterovesical anastomotic strictures or ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Success was defined as stable serum creatinine and no hydronephrosis on follow-up. RESULTS: Of the patients, nine had ureterovesical anastomotic strictures. Of the six treated with balloon dilatation and Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, the success rate was 67% (58 months mean follow-up). Both strictures with failure were longer than 10 mm. Of the three patients treated with balloon dilatation only, there was success in only one (14 months follow-up) and both strictures with failure were shorter than 10 mm. There were three patients treated for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, one with balloon dilatation and two with balloon dilatation plus Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, all successfully (57 months mean follow-up). Overall, of the eight strictures 10 mm or shorter, there was success rate in six (75%), with 52 months mean follow-up, including five of five (100%) treated with laser endoureterotomy and one of three (33%) treated with only balloon dilation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy should be a first line treatment for ureteral strictures of length 10 mm or shorter in kidney transplant patients.     

Percutaneous management of transplant ureteral fistulae is feasible in selected cases

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral fistulae in renal transplants may develop as a consequence of compromised ureteral vascularity or from a technical factor related to the ureteroneocystostomy, the latter typically developing within the first 72 hours posttransplant. Recently, percutaneous nephrostomy drainage has been used with increasing frequency for the initial management. It alone can lead to resolution of the fistula in at least some patients. The aim of the study was the evaluation of endourological management of ureteral fistulae in renal transplants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 1981 and February 2004, 1000 adult recipients underwent renal transplantation. Sixteen out of 29 patients who developed ureteral fistulae were managed endourologically; 13, open surgery. The items recorded on these patients included the type of ureteroneocystostomy, the time to fistula diagnosis, the image technique, the type of ureteral stents, and the clinical evolution. RESULTS: The 13 patients who underwent open surgery did well. Endourological management of ureteral fistula was successfully performed in 10 of 16 cases. In all of them percutaneous nephrostomy drainage with stenting of the ureter with a double-J catheter did not prove any advantage to no stent (66.6% vs 57%). In 13 of these 16 patients in which the passage of contrast into the bladder was demonstrated, the fistula resolved in 10 cases (77%), while none of the three cases with no flow into the bladder were helped by this approach. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous techniques can provide definitive management for 62% of renal allograft patients who develop ureteral fistula beyond 72 hours after renal transplant.     

Endoscopic treatment of ureteric strictures: acucise, cold-knife endoureterotomy and wall stents as a salvage approach

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors influencing the results of endoureterotomy using cold-knife and cutting balloon dilatation, and permanent ureteral wall stents in patients with benign ureteral strictures after different operations affecting the ureter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 4-year period, in 18 patients, endoscopic cold-knife and Acucise endoureterotomies were performed in 13 and 7 renal units, respectively. Eight Memoterm permanent ureteral wall stents were inserted into 7 patients when endoureterotomy failed. Successful outcome was defined by the absence of re-stricture assessed both clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: The strictures were secondary to ureterolithotomy in 6, ureteroscopy in 3, gynecological procedures in 4, abdominal surgeries in 2, transplantation in 2 and continent urinary diversion in 1. The right and left ureters were unilaterally affected in 5 and 11 patients, respectively (5 of them had a solitary kidney), while the remaining 2 patients had bilateral ureteral strictures. We achieved total ureteral patency of 3 (43%) and 7 (54%) renal units with Acucise and cold-knife incision, respectively. Obstructive uropathy was resolved in 6 renal units (75%) of 8 using ureteral wall stents. CONCLUSION: Endoureterotomy with cold-knife or Acucise cutting balloon dilatation is effective in the treatment of iatrogenic ureteral strictures, but only in a selected group. Based on our results, the favorable prognostic criteria for endoureterotomy are the length (< or =1.5 cm), the nonischemic nature of the stricture and adequate renal function. As a salvage approach, permanent self-expanding ureteral wall stents with a 75% success rate may provide a satisfactory outcome for decompression of an obstructed system.     

Ureteroenteric fistula after retrograde balloon dilatation of ureteral stricture.

Advances in endourology have made transluminal balloon dilatation a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of ureteral strictures. Bilateral ureteral stricture was treated with retrograde balloon dilatation and ureteral stenting in a 59-year-old-woman. The patient had previously undergone abdominoperineal resection and adjuvant radiotherapy due to rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma. Subsequently, unilateral ureteroenteric fistula was detected on follow-up retrograde ureteropyelography. To our knowledge, this is the first case of ureteroenteric fistula after balloon dilatation for ureteral stricture in a patient with predisposing factors for compromised vascularity of the ureter.     

Transplant ureter stricture: Acucise endoureterotomy and balloon dilation are effective

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with ureteral stricture after renal transplantation underwent minimally invasive treatment with Acucise incision or balloon dilation. Acucise endoureterotomy was used to treat four patients with strictures at the ureterovesical anastomosis, and balloon dilation was used to treat four patients with a ureteroureterostomy stricture. Success was defined as an acceptable serum creatinine concentration in the absence of hydronephrosis with at least 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: Acucise endoureterotomy for ureterovesical anastomosis stricture was successful in two of three patients (67%) with a mean follow-up of 20 months. One patient had an indeterminate outcome. Balloon dilation of strictured ureteroureterostomy was successful in three of four patients (75%) with a mean follow-up of 23.7 months. Three of the four patients with previously failed open revision were treated successfully with endourologic techniques. The two patients in whom treatment failed had strictures >/=1.5 cm and manifested comorbidities including diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: As our results are comparable to those of other published series, endourologic management of transplant ureteral stenosis is a reasonable strategy.     

Principles of ureteric reconstruction

The principles of ureteric reconstruction are not different from those of reconstructive urology in the rest of the urinary system. The importance of ensuring good vascular supply, complete excision of pathological lesions, good drainage and a wide spatulated and tension-free anastomosis of mucosa to mucosa remain paramount. Although time of diagnosis is the most single most adverse factor affecting outcome, the majority of ureteric injuries still present postoperatively, and delays in diagnosis are the rule rather than the exception. Successful management requires early and definitive intervention using endoscopic means or percutaneous drainage and stenting where possible. Failing this, a number of open surgical options to foreshorten the course of the ureter should be implemented. Most ureteric injuries below the pelvic brim can be treated easily with a ureteroneocystostomy using a bladder elongation procedure or a Boari flap. Mid and upper ureteric injuries above the pelvic brim, however, can be repaired with a spatulated ureteroureterostomy if the defect is small. In those with extensive ureteral loss, measures such as mobilizing the kidney, transureteroureterostomy, renal autotransplantation and ureteral substitution using small bowel may be required. Artificial ureteral substitutes may be an alternative in selected cases.     

Balloon plasty for biliary strictures associated with choledochal cysts]

Balloon plasty with a Meditec balloon dilatation catheter was performed in thirteen patients who had choledochal cysts with intrahepatic biliary strictures. The age of the patients ranged from one to 28 years. Eleven were female, and two were male. The site of the biliary stricture was both the right and left hepatic duct in eight patients, the left hepatic duct in four, and the right hepatic duct in one. Balloon plasty was performed postoperatively through the fistula of the percutaneous transhepatic drainage tube in seven patients and during the operation in six. Dilatation was adequate in ten patients but insufficient in three. The preoperative imaging character of the biliary strictures in the successful cases was membranous stenosis of less than 2mm in length. In contrast, the strictures of the patients with insufficient dilatation were long stenoses of more than 5mm in length.     

医源性输尿管下段损伤或狭窄的处理：（附14例报告）

为探讨对医源性输尿管损伤或狭窄的处理，降低并发症，回顾分析１９８６￣１９９６年治疗的医源性车尿管下段损伤１１例和狭窄３例（４侧），其中泌尿外科、妇科、普外科手术所造成的输尿管下段损伤或狭窄分别为９例（６４．３％）、４例（２８．６％）、１例（７．１％），以泌尿外科手术引起的发生率最高，可能与输尿管镜等腔道内手术的广泛开展及各类开放性手术的失误升并发症有关。除普外科造成的１例在损伤当即被发现并修复外，     

Ureteroscopic management of urological complications after renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility, safety and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic ureteroscopy in renal allograft ureters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 1560 consecutive renal allografts performed between June 1989 and February 2002. A total of 28 patients (1.8%) had indications for an endoscopic procedure on the allograft ureter, as follows: obstructive ureteral calculi with a history of failed extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, n=6; suspected ureteral stricture, n=3; upwardly migrated ureteral stents, n=9; and ureteral stricture at the ureteroneocystostomy site, n=10. Ureters were anastomosed to the bladder using the Leadbetter-Politano and Lich-Gregoire methods in six and 22 cases, respectively. Ureteroscopies were performed with a semi-rigid 9.8 F Wolf ureteroscope. RESULTS: Identification of the ureteral orifice and insertion of a guide-wire into it was successful in 19 cases (68%). If we exclude the 10 patients with ureteral stricture, ureteroscopy was successful in 13/18 cases (72%). Four ureteral calculi (67%) were removed with the ureteroscope. Seven out of nine migrated stents (78%) were retrieved. Four patients with ureteral stricture at the ureteroneocystostomy site (40%) underwent successful ureteral dilatation and double-J ureteral catheters were also inserted. Diagnostic ureteroscopy was successful in all cases. Two complications (one urinary leakage and one symptomatic urinary tract infection) occurred and were managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral endoscopy is a safe and effective method for the management of urological complications after renal transplantation. This procedure can be considered the first choice, in preference to percutaneous and antegrade modalities.     

Tuberculous stricture of ureter

Tuberculous stricture of the ureter is not uncommon in centers which treat large numbers of patients with urinary tuberculosis. Ninety-seven such strictures were seen in 92 patients over a twenty-five-year period. All patients were treated with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy. Transurethral dilatation of the ureteral stricture was done on 80 ureters. Dilatation was successful in 51 ureters (64%) and failed to relieve the strictures in 29. Technical difficulties prevented dilatation of 17 ureters. We believe that transurethral dilatation should be attempted on all tuberculous ureteral strictures and that other procedures should be employed only if dilatation fails.     

Obstructive uropathy in the transplanted kidney: definitive management with percutaneous nephrostomy and prolonged ureteral stenting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Renal transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage renal disease. Ureteral stenosis is the most frequent urologic complication. We report our experience with percutaneous nephrostomy and antegrade ureteral stenting, which may offer a primary and definitive alternative to open surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with renal allograft obstructive uropathy were managed with percutaneous nephrostomy and prolonged ureteral stenting. RESULTS: Percutaneous nephrostomies were successfully performed in all 15 kidneys: In 13 patients, antegrade ureteral stenting was attempted, this being successful in 11 (85%). After prolonged ureteral stenting (mean duration 15 months), the stent was removed in eight patients, and six of them (75%) did not have recurrences. During follow-up, urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium determinations and ultrasound scans were performed, and success was confirmed by the decline of creatinine and reduction in hydronephrosis. No major complication was observed. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stenting is a safe and effective treatment for renal allograft obstructive uropathy. Prolonged ureteral stenting may offer a definitive treatment with low morbidity.     

Permanent stenting in the treatment of ureteral strictures.

Permanent metallic stents have found wide application for use in the vascular and biliary systems and currently devices are also available for use in the urinary tract. Permanent stenting of the ureter has proven to be an useful option in the management of obstruction caused by external compression due to malignancy whereas the efficacy of permanent stenting in the treatment of benign ureteral strictures is still controversial. We treated three patients with benign ureteral strictures by implantation of a self-expanding endoluminal stent that resulted in ureteral patency persisting up to 24 months.     

Treatment of iatrogenic postoperative ureteral strictures with Acucise endoureterotomy

OBJECTIVES: To determine factors influencing the outcome of Acucise endoureterotomy in patients with iatrogenic postoperative ureteral strictures after different open surgical procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Acucise endoureterotomy was performed in 18 patients with ureteral strictures after pyeloplasty (n = 5), renal transplantation (n = 5), ureteroenteric anastomosis (n = 3), calicoureterostomy (n = 1), ureterocystoneostomy (n = 1), hysterectomy (n = 1), ureterorenoscopy (n = 1) and transurethral resection of the ureteral orifice (n = 1). Success was determined as relief of clinical symptoms, improvement of renal function or improvement of radiographic findings. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 61% (mean follow-up: 21.5 months). Six out of 18 patients showed relevant side effects. Neither the localization of the stricture nor the duration of postoperative ureteral stenting but the length of the stricture had influence on the postoperative outcome. Decreased renal function to less than 25% of the total function was always associated with failure of the treatment. The time period between the ureteral injury and the appearance of the ureteral stricture had influence on the outcome of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Acucise endoureterotomy is effective in the treatment of postoperative ureteral strictures, but only in selected cases. The selection criteria are the time period from the primary operation to the appearance of the stricture (>6 months), the length of the stricture (<1.5 cm) and the renal function (>25% of the total function). In other cases, open surgical treatment of the ureteral stricture may provide better results.     

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.     

Balloon dilatation of bilharzial ureteric strictures

Balloon dilatation was performed in nine patients with bilharzial ureteric strictures. In six patients a percutaneous, antegrade approach was used and in three a balloon catheter was introduced into the ureter via a cystoscope. In another four patients, negotiation of the strictured area with a guide wire failed. In all dilated patients, symptomatic and urographic relief of the obstruction was obtained during follow-up periods of 3 to 38 months (mean 19). One patient was re-dilated after 24 months and has remained symptom-free for a further 18 months. Balloon dilatation seems to be a promising method of treating this condition.     

Transrenal percutaneous treatment of urinary fistula. Apropos of 19 cases

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) was used to treat 16 ureteral fistulas, two ileal fistulas following ileo-cystoplasty, and one pelvic fistula. Discharge resolved in all cases. PCN alone achieved complete recovery of the ileal and pelvic fistulas. Insertion of a wire-guide through the fistula into the bladder and stenting of the ureter for 5 to 20 days with a 8 to 10 F multi-side-hole catheter was possible in 12 of the ureteral fistulas and ensured complete recovery in every case. Because of complete stenosis, this procedure failed in the four other cases of ureteral fistula, and surgery was therefore required. Transrenal percutaneous treatment of urinary fistulas is a simple, effective procedure requiring only local anesthesia, and can be recommended in recently operated patients, and when retrograde catheterization is inadvisable (ileo-cystoplasty).     

输尿管镜钬激光内切开术治疗输尿管狭窄

目的探讨输尿管镜钬激光内切开术治疗输尿管狭窄的疗效。方珐本组10例输尿管狭窄，狭窄位于输尿管上段6例，中段1例，下段3例，输尿管狭窄段长度为0．3—1．8cm，采用输尿管镜钬激光（200μm激光光纤，输出能量0．8—1．0J，脉冲频率10-15Hz）内切开术治疗，术后留置1根或2根F5双J支架管，2～3个月后拔管。蛄杲手术时间30-50min，平均42min，无严重并发症，1例手术失败，余9例随访5—15个月，平均9．5个月，8例效果满意，1例术后3个月复发。站论输尿管镜钬激光内切开术治疗输尿管狭窄具有创伤小、并发症少、恢复快等优点，是一种安全、有效的微创手术方式。