Vesicopyelostomy: a method for urinary drainage of the transplanted kidney

Pelvic kidney: associated diseases and treatment

The incidence of pelvic kidney has been approximated at between 1 in 2200 and 1 in 3000. The ectopic kidney is thought to be no more susceptible to disease than the normally positioned kidney, except for the development of calculi and hydronephrosis. Because of the greater risk of injuring aberrant vessels or overlying abdominal viscera and nerves, the pelvic kidney presents special treatment challenges. Alternative approaches to treating nephrolithiasis may yield better outcomes. The tortuous ureter often associated with a pelvic kidney hinders deflection of the flexible ureteroscope, potentially limiting access. Laparoscopy-guided intervention permits visual exposure of the kidney, enhancing safe puncture and tract placement integral to percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Laparoscopy-assisted anterior retrograde percutaneous nephroscopy involves percutaneous access using a Hunter-Hawkins retrograde nephrostomy needle with adjunctive laparoscopy to permit viewing and manipulation of overlying bowel. Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction has been reported to occur in 22% to 37% of ectopic kidneys. Endoscopic incision presents difficulties beyond those of anatomically normal kidneys. The laparoscopic approach provides good surgical exposure, and operative times are comparable to those of laparoscopic pyeloplasty in anatomically normal kidneys. To date, only a handful of cases of malignancy in a pelvic kidney have been described. Like a nonfunctioning anatomically normal kidney, a nonfunctional pelvic kidney may require primary removal. There are a few reports of laparoscopic pelvic nephrectomy. Additional studies are needed to compare the various treatments for disease of the pelvic kidney in order to decide which options have the most beneficial outcomes.

Laparoscopic Pyelovesicostomy for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in a Pelvic Kidney

Pyelovesicostomy is an attractive option for treatment of ureteral obstruction in a congenital pelvic kidney or a renal allograft. We describe the first laparoscopic performance of this procedure. The total operative time was 207 minutes.

Use of small and large bowel in renal transplantation

The continued success of renal transplantation has provided a higher quality of life for properly selected patients with ESRD. It is also a much more cost-effective and efficient treatment of ESRD compared with chronic dialysis. Innovative urologic reconstructive surgery using enteric segments for both continent and incontinent urinary diversions has permitted this therapeutic modality to be offered to the recipient with lower urinary tract disease not previously amenable to renal transplantation. These same reconstructive techniques using ileal segments have also permitted preservation of renal allografts with previously nonreconstructable renal pelvic or ureteral disease.

Vesicopyeloplasty in renal transplant patients: a 20-year followup

Loss of a ureter in a renal transplant patient often results in transplant nephrectomy. In 1973 we used vesicopyelostomy with the bladder directly sutured to the renal pelvis as a method of reconstruction in 2 renal transplant patients following ureteral loss. These patients have been followed for more than 20 years and both renal allografts have functioned well. The status of these patients and a review of the literature on vesicopyelostomy are presented.

Long-term results with renal autotransplantation for ureteral replacement

From 1970 to 1984 renal autotransplantation was performed on 23 patients to replace all or a major portion of the ureter. The conditions necessitating ureteral replacement were postoperative ureteral injury in 16 cases, recurrent renal colic in 4, urinary undiversion in 2 and an atonic ureter in 1. Six patients presented with a solitary kidney and 1 underwent staged bilateral autotransplantation. After autotransplantation urinary continuity was restored by ureteroneocystostomy in 11 patients, pyelovesicostomy in 7, ureteroureterostomy in 2, pyeloureterostomy in 2 and ureterosigmoidostomy in 1. Postoperatively, there was no mortality and all but 1 of the autotransplanted kidneys functioned immediately. Two kidneys required removal postoperatively owing to bleeding. Currently, 20 patients are alive with functioning renal autotransplants at intervals of 1.5 to 14 years. The current serum creatinine level in these patients ranges from 1.1 to 2.2 mg. per dl., which in each case is improved or stable compared to the preoperative determination. Only 1 patient has experienced chronic bacteriuria. We conclude that renal autotransplantation provides excellent long-term treatment for patients who require ureteral replacement.

Vesicocalicostomy as ultimate solution for recurrent urological complications after cadaveric renal transplantation in a patient with poor bladder function

We report a case of a neurogenic bladder in which hydronephrosis recurred early after renal transplantation. After 2 unsuccessful attempts at ureteroneovesicostomy of the donor ureter a vesicocalicostomy was performed, since reconstruction with the donor pelvis or ureter was impossible owing to the extended fibrosis and scar formation around the renal hilus and ureter. During the 23 months of followup renal function has been good without serious infectious sequela with a regimen of self-catheterization and no antibiotic maintenance therapy.

Pyelovesicostomy as a form of urinary reconstruction in renal transplantation

The development of ureteral obstruction or ureteral fistula formation in the renal transplant recipient usually requires surgical repair. This involves reconnecting the donor ureter to either the recipient ureter (ureteroureterostomy) or bladder (ureteroneocystostomy), or creating an anastomosis between the renal pelvis and recipient native ureter (pyeloureterostomy). Occasionally, the donor or recipient ureter is absent, necrotic or diseased so that a ureteroureterostomy, ureteroneocystostomy or pyeloureteral anastomosis cannot be performed. In 8 such cases we have performed a direct anastomosis between the donor renal pelvis and recipient bladder (pyelovesicostomy) with a followup of between 2 months and 11 years. In all 8 patients there has been no deterioration in renal function attributed to obstruction at the anastomotic site or to the free reflux between the bladder and renal pelvis. Because of the excellent short-term and long-term results of pyelovesicostomy, this procedure should be considered as an excellent alternative to pyeloureterostomy, ureteroureterostomy and ureteroneocystostomy in the reconstruction of the upper urinary tract of the renal transplant patient.

Pyelovesicostomy: an alternative to ureteropelvic junction-plasty in pelvic ectopic kidneys

Pyelovesicostomy was performed in 2 cases of hydronephrosis in pelvic kidneys secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In the first patient, who presented with a solitary kidney, the procedure was done after failure of a dismembered pyeloplasty, while in the second patient the procedure was performed electively. Both patients had sterile urines and stable renal function, although some dilatation persisted in the first case. The indications and the functional aspects of this surgical solution are discussed.

Secondary ureteropyelostomy in renal transplant recipients

Ischemic necrosis of the allograft ureter after renal transplantation most often results from failure to preserve adequately is vascularity during donor nephrectomy. An acute episode of rejection occurring within the first few weeks postoperatively may serve to compound the problem, producing even more extensive necrosis of the urinary collecting system. Secondary ureteropyelostomy using the recipient's own ipsilateral ureter is the salvage operation of choice in this situation and can be highly successful provided there is strict adherence to a number of important surgical principles.

Long-term clinical followup after pyelocystostomy

In March 1971 a 32-year-old man with necrosis of the ureter to a kidney allotransplant underwent anastomosis of the transplant renal pelvis to the bladder. The kidney is functioning normally 9 years later. This surgical technique has been used recently in 3 additional case. Further applications of this procedure are suggested.

Pressure effects of urinary reflux studied with renal autotransplantation and pyelocystostomy

The pressure effects of urinary reflux on renal structure and function were studied using a canine model in which the kidney was autotransplanted to the iliac fossa and the urine drained through a pyelocystostomy. This provided grade III reflux of urine (distention of the renal pelvis and calyces). A control group of nonrefluxing animals with the ureter and ureterovesical valve intact was studied in an identical fashion, and all animals were observed for one year. The reflux of sterile urine was not associated with any impairment of the inulin clearance or transport maximum of para-aminohippuric acid. There were no histologic abnormalities of glomeruli, tubules, or interstitium noted in the animals exposed to sterile reflux, nor were any differences found between the study and control groups. The transmission of bladder pressures into the renal pelvis and calyces during reflux is considered an unimportant factor in explaining the renal damage noted from sterile reflux of short duration in adults. The pyelocystostomy provides a satisfactory means of urinary drainage, and may be used effectively to study the properties of urinary reflex.

Pyeloileocystostomy for ureteral necrosis in pediatric renal transplant recipient

A pediatric renal transplant patient who had ureteral necrosis treated initially by nephrostomy followed by a subsequent pyeloileocystostomy is reported. This unusual approach to a renal transplant complication is recommended, but only when other methods cannot be utilized.