肾盂输尿管联合悬吊法与传统肾盂悬吊法腹腔镜下肾盂输尿管成形术治疗小儿肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻的比较北大核心CSCD

目的比较肾盂输尿管联合悬吊法与传统肾盂悬吊法腹腔镜下肾盂输尿管成形术治疗小儿肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(ureteropelvic junction obstruction,UPJO)的临床效果。方法2017年10月~2021年2月我院采用2种悬吊方法行腹腔镜下肾盂输尿管成形术治疗小儿肾盂积水,住院号尾号单号采用肾盂输尿管联合悬吊法:在肾盂输尿管裁剪吻合前对输尿管肾盂进行联合悬吊,沿悬吊线裁剪,借助悬吊线进行肾盂输尿管肾盂吻合(n=100,观察组),住院号尾号双号(包括0)采用传统肾盂悬吊法(n=100,对照组),比较2组围术期情况及随访过程中肾盂积水的改善情况。结果观察组均顺利完成肾盂输尿管联合悬吊,无改变手术方式。与对照组比较,观察组手术时间[(96.2±25.1)min vs.(112.0±36.8)min,t=-3.555,P=0.000],裁剪缝合肾盂输尿管时间[(27.0±8.9)min vs.(43.6±22.5)min,t=-6.886,P=0.000]和留置双J管操作时间[(5.8±2.4)min vs.(7.8±4.2)min,t=-4.146,P=0.000]明显缩短。2组术后并发症发生率差异无显著性[3.0%(3/100)vs.5.0(5/100),χ^(2)=0.130,P=0.718]。200例随访3~12个月,平均10.6月:观察组95例肾盂积水改善,5例完全消失;对照组96例肾盂积水改善,3例完全消失,1例吻合口狭窄导致积水加重,二次手术处理。结论肾盂输尿管联合悬吊法腹腔镜下肾盂输尿管成形术治疗小儿UPJO手术暴露效果好,便于缝合,安全可靠,是治疗小儿UPJO的理想术式之一。     

经腹腔途径腹腔镜肾盂成形术的临床效果分析

目的:探讨经腹腔途径腹腔镜肾盂成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(ureteropelvic junction obstruction,UPJO)的手术方法及临床效果。方法:回顾分析2012年8月至2015年5月55例UPJO患者行经腹入路腹腔镜离断性肾盂成形术的临床效果。结果:手术均获成功,手术时间55~195 min,平均(73.0±11.32)min;术中出血量10~60 ml,平均(34.0±8.62)ml;术后住院6~14 d,平均(7.0±1.89)d。随访3~36个月,平均(20.0±5.79)个月,患者腰痛症状消失,肾积水改善。结论:随着腹腔镜技术的普及,腹腔镜离断性肾盂成形术成为新的标准术式,逐渐替代开放手术,而经腹腔途径肾盂成形术由于易掌握、并发症发生率低,目前被认为是治疗UPJO的重要手段,经腹腔途径腹腔镜离断性肾盂成形术是治疗UPJO安全、有效的微创方法。     

机器人辅助腹腔镜下肾盂成形术治疗儿童肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻31例

目的:探讨机器人辅助腹腔镜下肾盂成形术(robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty, RALP)治疗儿童肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(ureteropelvic junction obstruction, UPJO)的临床应用效果。方法:回顾性分析2021年9月—2022年5月在宁夏医科大学总医院接受RALP的31例UPJO患儿，其中男22例，女9例；年龄(57.35±47.10)个月；左侧23例，右侧8例；体重(20.77±12.20) kg。收集手术时间、术中估计出血量、术后引流时间、术后住院时间等临床资料，肾盂前后径(anteroposterior diameter, APD)、肾盂与肾实质厚度比值(pelvis/cortex ratio, PCR)、分肾功能(differential renal function, DRF)等影像学资料。采用第四代DaVinci Xi机器人操作系统，重建肾盂输尿管连接部。结果:31例患儿手术均顺利完成，无中转开放手术病例。平均手术时间为(119.87±15.64) min,平均肾盂输尿管吻合时间(33.65±7.45...     

机器人辅助腹腔镜手术治疗复杂肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻的双中心研究

目的:总结机器人辅助腹腔镜手术治疗复杂肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(UPJO)的双中心经验。方法:收集2017年3月—2021年12月双中心收治37例复杂UPJO行机器人辅助腹腔镜手术患者的临床资料,并进行回顾性总结分析。复杂UPJO被定义为UPJO同时合并马蹄肾、重复肾输尿管畸形、肾盏结石、巨大肾积水伴肾功能不良及初次肾盂成形术后再狭窄。手术成功定义为症状消失或缓解且影像学检查提示肾积水较前缓解。结果:37例患者手术均在机器人辅助腹腔镜下完成,无术中并发症,无中转开放手术。其中行肾盂成形术22例,肾盂成形术+肾折叠术+肾固定术5例,口腔黏膜镶嵌输尿管成形术2例,阑尾镶嵌输尿管吻合术2例,肾盂成形术+软镜取石术2例,重复肾上肾盂与下输尿管吻合术2例,肾下盏输尿管吻合术1例,马蹄肾分离+双侧肾盂成形术1例。平均手术时间(168.9±42.5) min、术中中位失血量25(15～200) mL、平均术后住院时间(5.8±2.0) d、平均术后引流管留置时间(4.4±1.9) d;术后并发症ClavienⅠ～Ⅱ级发生率45.9%、ClavienⅢ级5.4%,中位随访19(6～60)个月,手术成功率为...     

腹膜后腹腔镜离断性肾盂成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(附22例报告)

目的:总结腹膜后腹腔镜离断性肾盂成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(ureteropelvic junction obstruction,UP-JO)的手术经验,以提高其手术技巧。方法:回顾分析为22例UPJO患者行腹腔镜离断性肾盂成形术的临床资料。术前均经影像学检查证实UPJO,并伴有不同程度的肾积水。结果:22例手术均获成功。手术时间平均(150±12.6)min,术中出血量平均(60±10.7)ml,术后平均住院(6.5±1.5)d,无并发症发生。随访3～24个月,手术侧肾盂输尿管连接部吻合口无狭窄,肾盂输尿管排尿功能好。结论:腹膜后腹腔镜离断性肾盂成形术治疗UPJO安全、有效,有望逐步替代开放性手术。     

不同入路腹腔镜肾盂成形术治疗成人肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻的比较

目的 比较经腹腔和经后腹腔入路腹腔镜肾盂成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻（UPJO）的安全性及疗效。方法 收集2015年1月至2020年6月在兰州大学第二医院确诊为UPJO并行腹腔镜肾盂成形术且年龄≥18岁患者的临床资料,比较两组患者围术期指标、并发症发生率及手术成功率。结果 本研究共纳入195例患者,两组患者基线资料差异无统计学意义。两组围术期指标及近期并发症比较：手术时间[190(150,230)min vs 200(174,260)min,P=0.030]、引流管留置天数[5.0(3.0,6.0)d vs 6.0(4.0,8.0)d,P=0.005]、术后住院天数[6.0(5.0,7.0)d vs 8.0(5.0,9.0)d,P=0.006]经腹腔组均短于经后腹腔组,中转开放率经腹腔组低于经后腹腔组[3(3.2%)vs10(12.5%),P=0.019];术中出血量、术后特护时间、禁食水时间方面两组差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;尿漏、泌尿道感染、肠梗阻、高碳酸血症等近期并发症发生率方面两组间差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。长期随访的结果显示,在结石形成、输尿管...     

腹腔镜下手术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄

目的 评价腹腔镜下手术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄梗阻(UPJO)的疗效.方法 UPJO患者102例.男56例,女46例.平均年龄31(6～62)岁.左侧53例,右侧49例.102例均经临床及影像学检查证实.肾盂分离平均28(20～46)mm,重度积水21例、中度63例、轻度18例.采用腹膜后径路行离断式肾盂输尿管成形术.术中打开肾周筋膜,以肾下极为标志游离出肾盂输尿管连接部,切除狭窄部分,肾盂输尿管端端连续吻合并留置双J管.结果 102例手术均成功.手术时间平均120(70～180)min,术中出血量平均80(50～100)ml.无严重并发症发生.术后住院平均8.5(6～14)d.102例随访平均9(3～15)个月,经B超复查肾积水消失30例,72例肾盂分离较术前平均减少12(8～26)mm.IVU检查85例吻合口无狭窄.结论 腹腔镜下离断式肾盂输尿管成形术治疗UPJO有效、可行,可以替代开放手术.     

腹腔镜下手术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄

目的 评价腹腔镜下手术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄梗阻(UPJO)的疗效.方法 UPJO患者102例.男56例,女46例.平均年龄31(6～62)岁.左侧53例,右侧49例.102例均经临床及影像学检查证实.肾盂分离平均28(20～46)mm,重度积水21例、中度63例、轻度18例.采用腹膜后径路行离断式肾盂输尿管成形术.术中打开肾周筋膜,以肾下极为标志游离出肾盂输尿管连接部,切除狭窄部分,肾盂输尿管端端连续吻合并留置双J管.结果 102例手术均成功.手术时间平均120(70～180)min,术中出血量平均80(50～100)ml.无严重并发症发生.术后住院平均8.5(6～14)d.102例随访平均9(3～15)个月,经B超复查肾积水消失30例,72例肾盂分离较术前平均减少12(8～26)mm.IVU检查85例吻合口无狭窄.结论 腹腔镜下离断式肾盂输尿管成形术治疗UPJO有效、可行,可以替代开放手术.     

腹腔镜下手术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄

目的 评价腹腔镜下手术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄梗阻(UPJO)的疗效.方法 UPJO患者102例.男56例,女46例.平均年龄31(6～62)岁.左侧53例,右侧49例.102例均经临床及影像学检查证实.肾盂分离平均28(20～46)mm,重度积水21例、中度63例、轻度18例.采用腹膜后径路行离断式肾盂输尿管成形术.术中打开肾周筋膜,以肾下极为标志游离出肾盂输尿管连接部,切除狭窄部分,肾盂输尿管端端连续吻合并留置双J管.结果 102例手术均成功.手术时间平均120(70～180)min,术中出血量平均80(50～100)ml.无严重并发症发生.术后住院平均8.5(6～14)d.102例随访平均9(3～15)个月,经B超复查肾积水消失30例,72例肾盂分离较术前平均减少12(8～26)mm.IVU检查85例吻合口无狭窄.结论 腹腔镜下离断式肾盂输尿管成形术治疗UPJO有效、可行,可以替代开放手术.     

后腹腔镜肾盂离断成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻的经验及中期随访报告

目的探讨后腹腔镜下肾盂离断成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻（ureteropelvic junction obstruction,UPJO）的效果。方法2003年6月～2011年12月对47例UPJO行后腹腔镜下肾盂离断成形术,在。肾下极腰大肌前缘间找到输尿管,游离出输尿管肾盂连接部,在狭窄段远端约1cm处离断输尿管,裁剪肾盂,同时切除肾盂输尿管狭窄段,连续缝合吻合口后壁后顺行置入双J管,再连续缝合前壁。结果47例均顺利完成,无中转开放手术。平均手术时间157．7min（80～317min）,平均出血量69ml（10～400ml）,平均术后住院时间7．5d（4～28d）,平均术后拔引流管时间5．7d（1～26d）。29例术后随访18～120个月,平均53．6月,其中18例随访时间〈5年,11例随访5～10年,以腰痛为主诉者有14例症状消失（6例积水消失,8例积水减轻）,1例腰痛缓解不明显;14例体检发现肾积水中,4例积水消失,7例积水减轻,3例积水缓解不明显（1例术后2个月再次出现输尿管狭窄,行经皮肾造瘘）。结论后腹腔镜下肾盂离断成形术是治疗UPJO的安全方法,中期随访效果满意。     

经皮肾造瘘大功率钬激光碎石术治疗复杂性肾结石35例报告

目的探讨经皮肾造瘘大功率钬激光碎石术治疗复杂性肾结行的疗效。方法采用经皮肾造瘘大功率（40～60W）钬激光碎石术治疗35例复杂性肾结石。伴肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄（UPJO）的5例同时行钬激光内切开。结果35例手术均成功,平均碎石时间65min。29例（82．9％）单次碎石后排净结仃,残余结石6例,经ESWL1～3次治疗后结石排净。34例随诊半年,无结石残留或复发。UPJO者尿流通畅,无再狭窄发生。结论经皮肾造瘘大功率钬激光碎石术具有创伤小,碎石快,安全可靠等优点,术后残石可经ESWL后排出,是治疗复杂性肾结石的有效方法。     

经皮顺行腔内切开术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻

目的:探讨应用经皮顺行腔内切开术(PAE)治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻(UPJO)的适应症、疗效及技巧。方法:UPJO患者75例,其中肾盂输尿管连接部(UPJ)闭锁26例(34.7%)。男38例,女37例,平均年龄35(21～68)岁。左侧31例,右侧44例。原发性UPJO 39例(合并结石37例),开放UPJO成形术后8例,腹腔镜UPJO成形术后4例,开放手术取石术后14例,PCNL术后10例。均经B超、KUB、IVU、CT、逆行肾盂造影检查确诊。结果:Ⅰ期成功内切开69例(92.0%),4例(5.3%)间隔1周后Ⅱ期手术成功,2例放弃Ⅱ期治疗。单一应用PAE 59例(80.8%),PAE联合输尿管镜逆行内切开14例(19.2%)。术后3～6个月拔除输尿管支架管,随访6个月时,62例(84.9%)无复发,复发患者11例(15.1%)中包括UPJ闭锁患者10例。随访12个月时,55例(75.3%)无复发,24个月时52例(71.2%)无复发。21例复发患者中,9例行第二次PAE手术治愈,2例行第三次PAE手术后治愈,1例行开放肾盂成形术,9例每3～6个月更换双J管或动态观察。结论:PAE可以作为原发性UPJO的一线治疗。继发性UPJO或其他成形术后再狭窄的UPJO复发率高,但是PAE适用范围广,可重复性好,仍然是微创腔内治疗的有效手段。     

Ureteroscopic endopyelotomy with the Holmium:YAG laser. mid-term results

OBJECTIVE: Various modalities ranging from acucise balloon to endoincision with electrocautery, cold knife, and lasers have been used to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). We assessed the intermediate effectiveness of endopyelotomy with the holmium(Ho):YAG laser. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1994 and May 1998, 20 patients with 16 primary and 4 secondary symptomatic UPJO were treated. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically before and after the procedure at 3 months, and yearly thereafter. The mean follow-up was 34 months (12-38 months). RESULTS: A total of 22 procedure were performed on 20 patients with an average operating time of 44.3 min and mean hospital stay of 1.9 days. All patients were stented after the procedure for 6 weeks. Complication included urinoma (1) and guidewire fracture in 1 patient. 15 patients had a successful outcome determined by a diuretic renography and/or Whitaker test. Three patients with poor preoperative renal function (<25%) had an unsatisfactory outcome. There were 2 failures and they were treated with nephrectomy (1) and open pyeloplasty (1). CONCLUSIONS: A controlled, precise, safe and almost 'bloodless' endopyelotomy can be performed with the holmium laser. Success rate tends to be poor in patients with poor renal function.     

Minimal-invasive Therapie der Nierenbeckenabgangsenge

We report on 109 patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) treated according to the following algorithm: intrinsic stenoses were treated by laser endopyelotomy (LEP). We used retroperitoneoscopy with ureterolysis to manage significant extrinsic UPJO due to a crossing vessel and either non-dismembered pyeloplasty in cases of an anterior vessel or dismembered pyeloplasty in cases of a posterior crossing vessel. Children were mostly treated by open dismembered pyeloplasty. Analysis of the factors that influence the postoperative results in the group of 64 patients treated by LEP showed significance for the presence of extrinsic causes of UPJO and the underlying grade of hydronephrosis. Based on our own results and the review of the literature, minimally invasive approaches for the management of UPJO have been proven safe and effective with results comparable to open surgery.     

Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy using the holmium:YAG laser

PURPOSE: We defined the safety and efficacy of retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy using the holmium:YAG laser. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between July 1996 and December 1999 a total of 28 renal units in 21 women and 6 men 7 to 75 years old (mean age 43.5) with ureteropelvic junction obstruction were treated at our institution with retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction was bilateral in 1 case, primary in 20 and secondary in 8. Endoluminal ultrasound was done before endopyelotomy in all cases. Patients with renal calculi underwent antegrade percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and traditional cold knife endopyelotomy. Endoluminal ultrasound revealed posterior and lateral crossing vessels in 5 patients, who did not undergo the endoscopic approach. Retrograde endopyelotomy was performed using the holmium:YAG laser in 23 cases and electrode incision with pure cutting current in 5. Postoperatively a ureteral stent remained indwelling for an average of 6 weeks. Thereafter patients were followed with serial ultrasound, excretory urography and renal scan at 3 to 6-month intervals. RESULTS: We evaluated 28 upper urinary tracts, including 19 (67.9%) with high insertion ureteropelvic junction obstruction and 9 with an annular stricture. As directed by ultrasound images, the incision location was posterolateral, posterior, lateral and posteromedial in 16, 5, 4 and 3 cases, respectively. Followup was available in all cases at a mean of 10 months (range 3 to 35). Success, defined as improved drainage on radiographic study and absent clinical symptoms, was achieved in 19 of the 23 patients (83%) treated with the holmium:YAG laser. Repeat laser incision resulted in a successful outcome in 2 of the 4 treatment failures. There were no acute surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy with the holmium:YAG laser is safe and minimally invasive therapy for primary and secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Endoluminal ultrasound aids in decision making when retrograde endopyelotomy is done.     

Ureteroscopic laser endopyelotomy in secondary UPJ obstruction after pyeloplasty failure

OBJECTIVES: Secondary ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction after failure of open and laparoscopic repair may be challenging to resolve due to possible extensive fibrosis and the increased invasiveness of this procedure. Alternatively, ureteroscopic laser endopyelotomy may be a more acceptable procedure for patients and surgeons. We report our preliminary experience with ureteroscopic holmium laser endopyelotomy after open pyeloplasty failure and define the complications that arose and the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed 6 retrograde endopyelotomies with a holmium laser for failed UPJ repairs following the Anderson-Hynes procedures. Patient follow-up was carried out every 3 months using sonography and renal scan, and again after 1 year using renal scan and urography. RESULTS: Mean hospitalization was 2.1 days. Ureteroscopic laser endopyelotomy was successful in 4 cases (66.6%). In 2 patients, failure occurred at the third month of follow-up. Complications included 1 case of slight bleeding, which was resolved conservatively without the need for blood transfusion, and 2 cases of guidewire rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary UPJ obstruction is more challenging to resolve by open or laparoscopic approach. Retrograde endopyelotomy gives a valid alternative thanks to its success rate and its better acceptance by patients. We consider retrograde laser endopyelotomy the approach to choose when faced with secondary UPJ obstruction after open or laparoscopic failures.     

Antegrade versus retrograde endopyelotomy for pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction

OBJECTIVES: To compare complication and success rates of antegrade and retrograde endopyelotomy performed over 10 years and to define possible risk factors associated with treatment failure. METHODS: From 1994 to 2004, 61 patients underwent a total of 68 endoscopic treatments: 19 antegrade and 49 retrograde endopyelotomy procedures. Antegrade endopyelotomy was always performed using diathermy. In the first 18 procedures retrograde endopyelotomy was performed using diathermy. In the most recent 30 procedures the incision was made using holmium laser. Endoluminal ultrasound was used in 78% of retrograde endopyelotomy and in 5% of antegrade endopyelotomy. RESULTS: The retrograde endopyelotomy patients demonstrated significantly lower complication rates (12.5% vs. 42%) and shorter hospital stay (1.5 vs. 7 days) than the antegrade endopyelotomy patients. The mean follow up of the patients who remained free from disease recurrence during the study period was 46 and 24 months for the antegrade and retrograde endopyelotomy group, respectively. The overall success rate (mean time to failure) of antegrade and retrograde endopyelotomy was 56% (31 months) and 70% (17 months), respectively. There was no statistically significant increase in the overall success rate of retrograde endopyelotomy using endoluminal ultrasound per se. Stratifying retrograde endopyelotomy by the type of energy used for the incision, the overall success rate (mean time to failure) was 80% (10 months) and 53% (21 months) for Holmium laser and diathermy, respectively (p = 0.0626). CONCLUSIONS: The overall success of antegrade and retrograde endopyelotomy in this series appears to be largely a factor of lead-time bias and is similar enough to recommend retrograde endopyelotomy with holmium laser on the basis of its relative safety and shorter hospital stay.     

Percutaneous endopyelotomy for secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction: prognostic factors affecting late recurrence

OBJECTIVE: To determine prognostic variables which influence late recurrence after initially successful percutaneous endopyelotomy for secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 1987 and March 2002, 67 patients with secondary UPJO were treated with percutaneous endopyelotomy at our center. Long-term follow-up data were available for 50 patients with initially successful results (42 after a single treatment and eight after repeated endopyelotomy). Follow-up excretory urography and diuretic renal scans were performed for objective evaluation. Late recurrence was diagnosed if obstruction developed after > 1 year of follow-up. Univariate (Kaplan-Meier method) and multivariate (Cox regression model) analyses of pre-, peri- and postoperative factors were carried out for detection of significant variables affecting the late recurrence rate. RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 1.27 to 13.85 years (mean 6 +/- 4.3 years). Late recurrence of UPJO was observed in seven cases (14%): 4/42 initially successful cases (9.5%) and 3/8 cases of repeated endopyelotomy (37.5%). In univariate analysis, the significant factors were severity of stenosis at the UPJ (p = 0.04), preoperative serum creatinine (p = 0.04), repetition of endopyelotomy (p = 0.03) and development of postoperative complications (p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, all of the above factors, with the exception of severity of stenosis at the UPJ, were independent significant factors affecting late recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: As late recurrence was observed in 14% of cases after percutaneous endopyelotomy, long-term follow-up is needed, especially in patients with elevated preoperative serum creatinine, those in whom postoperative complications developed and those in whom a first attempt at endopyelotomy failed.     

Retrograde endopyelotomy: a comparative study of hot-wire balloon and ureteroscopic laser

PURPOSE: This study compared the immediate and long-term results and complications of hot-wire balloon endopyelotomy and ureteroscopic holmium laser endopyelotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 1994 and January 2002, 64 patients with a primary (N = 52) or secondary (N = 12) ureteropelvic junction obstruction underwent retrograde endopyelotomy using either a fluoroscopically guided hot-wire balloon incision (N = 27) or a ureteroscopically guided, direct-vision holmium laser incision (N = 37). This study group included 46 women and 18 men aged 13 to 79 years (mean 38.9 years). The indications and contraindications to a retrograde approach were identical in each group and included documented functionally significant evidence of obstruction, no upper-tract stones, obstruction <2 cm, and no radiographic evidence of entanglement of crossing vessels at the ureteropelvic junction. Immediate and long-term outcomes were obtained from a prospective registry, with success defined as resolution of symptoms and radiographic relief of obstruction as determined by follow-up with intravenous urography, diuretic renography, or both. Follow-up ranged from 39 to 133 months (mean 75.6 months). RESULTS: Length of hospital stay, indwelling stent duration, and long-term success rates (77.8% v 74.2% in the hot-wire balloon and holmium-laser group, respectively) were equivalent. However, two patients in the hot-wire balloon group developed bleeding necessitating transfusion and selective embolization of lower-pole vessels. No patient in the ureteroscopic group suffered a major complication. CONCLUSIONS: These two alternatives for retrograde endopyelotomy provide comparable success rates for similarly selected patients. However, because significant hemorrhagic complications developed with greater frequency in those treated with the hot-wire balloon, our preference is for a ureteroscopic approach, as it allows direct visual control of the incision and thus, a lower risk of significant bleeding.     

Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy using the holmium:YAG laser

BACKGROUND: We report our experience of retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy using the holmium laser for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction not associated with upper tract stones. METHODS: We carried out this procedure on five patients through an 8-Fr semirigid ureteroscope. The ureter was not stented before the procedure and balloon dilation was not necessary before retrograde insertion of the ureteroscope. The obstruction was incised with the holmium laser using a 200 microm fiber in a linear fashion. After completion of the incision, a 12-Fr double-J ureteral stent was left for 6 weeks. Thereafter, patients were monitored with renal scan and/or ultrasound and excretory urography at 3-6 month intervals. RESULTS: Hydronephrosis was obviously improved in four cases (80%) at an average follow up of 12.8 months (4-23 months). Although the number of treated patients was small, retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy for UPJ obstruction using the holmium laser achieved good results. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that this procedure be used initially because it is less invasive and has a favorable outcome.