Endoscopic Ureteroureterostomy for Obliterated Ureteral Segments

The "Cut-to-the-Light" Technique Laser Endoureterotomy for Complete Ureteral Obstruction Resurfaces! A New Application of an Old Technique

Objective

To describe our new endoscopic approach in treating iatrogenic ureteral stenosis using the “cut-to-The-light” technique.

Methods

Case of a 54 year-old female patient who underwent a right percutaneous nephrolithotomy to treat a staghorn calculus with two subsequent complimentary ureteroscopies complicated by a severe proximal ureteral obstruction. An antegrade flexible uretereroscope and a retrograde rigid ureteroscope were used to locate the stenosis. With the aid of a 365-µm Ho: YAG laser fiber (settings 0.4 J, 12 Hz), we managed to successfully create a small incision in the stenotic lesion, the rigid ureterscopy light was clearly seen by the antegrade flexible ureteroscope and a through-and-through guidewire was then placed, securing the ureter. Ureteral dilatation was then performed followed by a full thickness incision of the ureteral stenosis. A single 8Fr, 28 cm double J ureteral stent was finally placed after stone fragmentation.

Results

The operating time was 200 mins. No blood loss. No fever or signs of UTI were seen shortly after the operation. The Foley catheter was successfully removed at day one post-op. The hospital stay was short of only 2 days.

Conclusion

The “cut-to-the-light” technique is a new application in the arsenal of ureteral stricture treatment that has been scarcely described in the literature before. The use of this method seems to offer excellent outcomes thus demonstrating the importance of this minimally invasive technique as an alternative to conventional invasive methods used. We believe that studies with larger samples and longer follow up are needed in order to fully determine the benefits of this method and to assess and reveal its suitable application and its drawbacks.

Contemporary management of ureteral strictures

Ureteral stricture disease is a luminal narrowing of the ureter leading to functional obstruction of the kidney. Treatment of strictures is mandatory to preserve and protect renal function. In recent times, the surgical management of ureteral strictures has evolved from open repair to include laparoscopic, robotic and interventional techniques. Prompt diagnosis and early first line intervention to limit obstructive complications remains the cornerstone of successful treatment. In this article, we discuss minimally invasive, endo-urological and open approaches to the repair of ureteral strictures. Open surgical repair and endoscopic techniques have traditionally been employed with varying degrees of success. The advent of laparoscopic and robotic approaches has reduced morbidity, improved cosmesis and shortened recovery time, with results that are beginning to mirror and in some cases surpass more traditional approaches.

Level of evidence: Not applicable for this multicentre audit.

Percutaneous minimally invasive management of iatrogenic ureteral injuries

PURPOSE

To present experience with the percutaneous management of iatrogenic ureteral injuries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighteen women and six men with a mean age of 59.3 years (range 33-80 years) received a diagnosis of ureteral injury sustained during gynecologic, urologic, and general surgical procedures. In a total of 25 injured ureters, 12 had interruption of continuity of their lumen, 10 were associated with contrast extravasation, and 3 were related to both. A standard percutaneous nephrostomy tract was established on the side of the afflicted kidney. Combined use of hydrophilic guidewires and balloon dilations were performed to achieve antegrade recanalization of the ureteral lesion. Then, a ureteral stent was inserted to assure patency.

RESULTS

Average stricture length was 1.21 (range 0.5-1.9 cm). Success of the aforementioned technique was possible in 18 ureters. Successful management in one session took place in 14 ureters. Average hospitalization time was 1.8 days (range 0-5 d). The follow-up period ranged between 12 and 18 months, with mean follow-up time of 12.9 months. Ureteral patency was evident at 1 week follow-up in six patients with obstructed ureters. In the remaining patients, balloon dilation of the stricture was repeated, and another stent was placed. Extravasation of contrast was observed in two patients with extravasating ureters in the same period. Nephrostomy tubes were removed after a mean indwelling period of 5.9 weeks (range 1-12 wks). Two patients treated by the described method died during their hospitalization in the intensive care unit because of sepsis from peritonitis that was related to colon injury and multiple concomitant injuries. Major complications were not observed in the remaining 22 patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The minimally invasive management of ureteral injuries is a safe and efficient method for both ureteral obstruction and/or laceration in a wide range of iatrogenic ureteral injuries.

Ureteral injuries during gynecologic surgery: treatment with a minimally invasive approach

PURPOSE

To report the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrostomy and primary antegrade recanalization for treatment of iatrogenic ureteral strictures after gynecologic surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten women had symptoms suggestive of ureteral obstruction during the immediate postoperative period (5 days-1 week after surgery). Under analgesia and conscious sedation, standard percutaneous nephrostomy was performed, and a long 7F sheath was placed in the upper ureter. The obstructions were traversed with the aid of a 0.0035-inch Glidewire and a 5F angled Glide catheter (Terumo, Japan). Subsequently, the areas were dilated with angioplasty balloons to a maximum diameter of 7 mm. Finally, an 8F percutaneous internal/external nephroureteral drainage stent was inserted to secure ureteral patency. Follow-up was carried out by serial nephrostomography until removal of the stent and by renal ultrasonography thereafter.

RESULTS

Twelve obstructions with a mean length of 1.4 cm (range 0.4-1.9 cm) were managed. The technical success rate was 100%. No major complications occurred, and normal renal function was restored. The mean follow-up was 12 months. In 60% of the patients, a patent ureter was depicted at 1 week, whereas in four patients, repeat dilation of the obstructed segment was required. The stents were removed after a mean period of 4.8 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous nephrostomy and primary antegrade ureteral balloon dilation is safe and efficacious for treating ureteral injury after pelvic surgery and obviates open surgical manipulations.

Result of endoscopic ureteroureterostomy with holmium:YAG laser for complete ureteral obstruction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Complete ureteral obstruction after pelvic surgery is traditionally managed by open repair. Recent advances in endoscopic instruments and techniques have improved the efficacy with which these conditions are treated. Here, we describe our experiences with a holmium:YAG laser in the endoscopic management of complete ureteral obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrograde endoscopic ureteroureterostomy using a Ho:YAG laser was performed on five patients with complete ureteral obstruction having a mean length of 0.9 +/- 0.2 cm after gynecologic surgery. The obliterated segment was incised with a 550-microm fiber through a rigid ureteroscope and under fluoroscopic guidance. Afterward, balloon dilatation was performed. A 7F/14F endopyelotomy stent was maintained for a mean time of 7 weeks, and follow-up was conducted via radiologic imaging.

RESULTS

Recanalization was possible in all five patients immediately. One month after the initial operation, one patient exhibited a normal ureteral passage, and three other patients exhibited partial ureteral stricture. The remaining patient was lost to follow-up. Of the three patients with partial strictures, two evidenced no stricture after additional endoscopic treatment(s), and the remaining patient eventually underwent open repair. Overall, three of four (75%) patients exhibited normal excretory function without any open surgery and were symptom free with a mean follow-up time of 45 months (range 23-67 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of patients in this study was small, it appears that endoscopic ureteroureterostomy with a Ho:YAG laser may constitute a valuable option for the treatment of complete short ureteral obstructions.