The ileal ureter in recurrent urolithiasis

The Use of Bowel for Ureteral Replacement for Complex Ureteral Reconstruction: Long-Term Results

PURPOSE

Ileal and intestinal ureteral replacement remains a useful procedure for complex ureteral reconstruction. We examined the long-term safety and efficacy of this procedure, especially in regard to maintaining preoperative renal function and the avoidance of major complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 56 patients underwent intestinal ureteral substitution at our institution between 1979 and 2003, including 52 with an ileal ureteral replacement, 2 with colonic replacement alone and 2 with bilateral ureteral replacement, necessitating ileum and colon for 1 ureter each. The factors reviewed were indications for surgery, type of ureteral replacement, and the presence and type of complications. Followup data included excretory urogram or equivalent imaging results, and measurement of serum chloride, bicarbonate and creatinine before and after the procedure.

RESULTS

Overall the complication rate remained low. Mean followup was 6.04 years (median 3.2). Most postoperative complications, which occurred in 10 patients (17.9%), were minor in nature, including pyelonephritis, fever of unknown origin, neuroma, hernia, recurrent urolithiasis and deep venous thrombosis. Major complications occurred in 6 patients (10.5%), including anastomotic stricture, ileal graft obstruction, wound dehiscence and chronic renal failure. Overall patients did not experience worsening renal function after the procedure with equivalent median creatinine before and after the procedure (1.0 mg/dl).

CONCLUSIONS

During long-term followup major complications are rare and renal function remains preserved. Ileal and intestinal ureteral substitution remains a safe and efficacious procedure in patients with complex and difficult ureteral issues not amenable to more conservative measures.

Lower pole calicostomy for the management of iatrogenic ureteropelvic junction obstruction

It is often possible to use endoscopic techniques for the management of iatrogenic upper ureteral or ureteropelvic junction obstruction. However, in some cases with severe stricture disease or significant ischemic injury open surgical reconstruction is necessary. We report our experience with ileal ureter-lower pole calicostomy for the management of these complex urological injuries. During the last 3 years we treated 3 patients with severe ureteral/ureteropelvic junction obstruction secondary to iatrogenic injuries, including ureteral avulsion during ureteroscopic stone extraction, ureteral laceration during dilation for diagnostic ureteropyeloscopy, and ureteral ligation with ureteropelvic junction disruption and large peri-pelvic urinoma. In all cases unsuccessful attempts at endoscopic management necessitated open repair. Lower pole heminephrectomy was performed in all patients to expose the lower pole calix and ileal ureter-lower pole calicostomy was created due to the injury of large segments of the ureter. Satisfactory results were demonstrated on postoperative excretory urography and by a lack of symptoms. Followup averaged 23 months (range 20 to 26) with stable renal function in all patients. We believe that ileal ureter-lower pole calicostomy represents an attractive alternative for the management of severe ischemic, iatrogenic upper ureteral or ureteropelvic junction obstruction when endoscopic maneuvers are not possible or ineffective.

Optimization of replacement of the ureter by ileum

Fifty patients for whom an ileal replacement of the ureter was indicated were prospectively randomized among 2 treatment groups according to the surgical technique used. In group 1 the standard operation was performed. In group 2 a tailored and valved (modified) ileal ureter was used. Patients were followed every 3 to 6 months for 12 to 28 months. Kidney functions were evaluated by 99m technetium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid scans and by determination of the 24-hour creatinine clearance. Urine cultures were obtained, and urine viscosity and flow rates were measured. A urographic study, including ascending cystography, was done every 6 months. Results indicated that the modified operation is functionally superior to the standard procedure. It provides efficient unidirectional flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder with less mucus secretion. This was ultimately reflected as better renal function when it was quantitated by renography and/or chemical clearance.

Ureteral reconstruction and bypass: experience with ileal interposition, the Boari flap-psoas hitch and renal autotransplantation

A total of 18 patients underwent an operation for extensive ureteral loss from 1980 to 1986. The indications included recurrent calculi, retroperitoneal fibrosis, surgical trauma and tumor. Of the patients 10 had construction of an ileal ureter (4 had bilateral reconstruction), 6 had creation of a psoas hitch with a Boari bladder tube and 2 were treated by autotransplantation. Mean duration of followup was 4.8 years. The procedure was successful in 17 patients. There were no apparent differences among the groups. Selection criteria and potential complications are discussed with regard to each technique. These procedures provide an excellent means for reconstruction of the urinary tract in patients who have failed other treatments.

Osteomalacia due to ileal replacement of ureters: report of 2 cases

We report 2 cases of ileal replacement of the ureters: 1 bilateral and 1 unilateral with a single kidney. Hyperchloremic acidosis developed in both patients and osteomalacia was proved by iliac bone biopsy. Patient 1 had symptomatic bone disease and control of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate was difficult because of associated hypertension. The level of alkaline phosphatase varied inversely with the level of serum bicarbonate. Pharmacological doses of 1-alpha hydroxycholecalciferol were ineffective and osteomalacia persisted in a second biopsy. Patient 2, who was asymptomatic, suffered acidosis and increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels immediately postoperatively and osteomalacia was confirmed histologically at 6 months.

Autologous renal transplantation with direct pyelocystostomy in the treatment of recurrent renal calculi

Six male patients with severe recurrent urinary calculus disease underwent renal autotransplantation with direct pyelocystostomy to allow spontaneous passage of stones. The only serious complication was an early renal vascular thrombosis with graft loss in one patient who had been operated on three times before with ipsilateral partial resections for nephrolithiasis. The other five patients did well (observation time 4-34 months). Their renal function has remained unchanged. Autotransplantation with direct pyelocystostomy should be considered in patients with multiple recurrent stones of the upper urinary tract, especially when some degree of obstruction has developed or when other predisposing anomalies prevail.

Endoscopic removal of staghorn calculi in patient with high urinary diversion

The treatment of recurrent renal calculi in patients after ureteroileal urinary diversion is difficult, especially when urinary stones are formed in the presence of urinary tract infection. In many cases, these patients already have undergone multiple renal operations and more surgery could pose difficult technical problems. We report on a patient with a high urinary diversion in whom bilateral staghorn renal calculi developed, and then were endoscopically removed. The conversion of ureteroileocutaneous diversion to a high pyeloileocutaneous diversion is recommended in selected cases as alternate treatment for patients with recurrent stone formation.

Renal autotransplantation for recurrent renal colic

Renal autotransplantation as an alternative to ileal interposition has been done successfully in patients with repetitive episodes of renal colic. Urinary tract continuity has been re-established by anastomosis of a Boari tube directly to the renal pelvis. This has resulted in easy egress of recurrent calculi without pain. Furthermore, the musculature of the Boari tube seems to be adequate for prevention of vesicorenal reflux. The procedure has been devoid of electrolyte and mucous urinary retention problems associated with ileal interpositionand it is advocated as an alternative in the management of such patients when medical therapy fails.

Total replacement of the ureter with a segment of ileum. A follow-up study

Total replacement of the ureter with a segment of ileum was performed on seven patients. Five of them were followed up for a mean of 20 months. The results of the operation were good. Serum electrolyte imbalance occurred postoperatively in one case.

Replacement of the ureter by small intestine: clinical application and results of the ileal ureter in 89 patients

Partial or total replacement of the ureter by small intestine was performed at the University of California/Los Angeles Hospital and affiliated hospitals 94 times in 92 patients from 1954 to 1978. Indications included recurrent calculi, ureteral stricture, fistula, congenital obstruction of the ureter and ureteral carcinoma with a solitary kidney. A special use has been for undiversion of an ileal conduit. Followup evaluation was possible in 95% of the patients and ranged from 6 months to 23 years. Thirty-six patients were followed for more than 5 years. The operation was judged successful in 81% of the cases. Serum creatinine was unchanged or decreased in 75.7% and the pyelogram was unchanged or showed decreased dilatation in 84.6% of the patients. Although reflux was seen in 40 of 55 patients who had cystograms 39 (97.5%) were considered to be treated successfully. Indications for and results of the operation are discussed. The procedure is recommended as optimal therapy for carefully selected situations when the normal urinary tract cannot be used.