Impact of hydronephrosis and renal function on treatment outcome: antegrade versus retrograde endopyelotomy

Efficacy of Endopyelotomy for Secondary Pelvi-Ureteric Junction (PUJ) Obstruction in Terms of Improvement in Renal Function

Objective The objective of this study is to measure renal function improvement after endopyelotomy for secondary pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction using technetium-99m diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (DTPA) renal scintigraphy. Material and methods This descriptive study was carried out at the Department of Urology, Institute of Kidney Diseases, Peshawar, Pakistan from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2023. The study included 118 secondary PUJ blockage patients who underwent endopyelotomy. Patient demographics, clinical history, and preoperative imaging findings were obtained. DTPA renal scintigraphy assessed renal function improvement postoperatively at intervals to determine the efficacy of endopyelotomy. Results The majority of the patients included in the study were male (n=65, 55.1%). The average age of the patients was 45.2 years, with the majority falling within the age range of 46-60 years (n=42, 35.6%). All patients had ultrasonography and computed tomography imaging done, and preoperative renal functions were obtained. Comorbidities included hypertension in 32 (27.12%) and diabetes in 18 (15.25%). DTPA renal scintigraphy showed improved renal function in 81.35% of patients at three months, 88.13% at six months, and 83.05% at 12 months; 15.3% of patients needed further treatments, and 5.1% had PUJ blockage recurrence. Conclusion This study offers significant insights into the results and complexities of endopyelotomy in patients suffering from PUJ blockage. The findings indicate that the technique efficiently enhances kidney function and alleviates symptoms in most patients. However, the study also emphasizes the need to monitor patients undergoing this procedure.

Percutaneous management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The development of endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques has revolutionized the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Patients can now undergo successful UPJO repair without the morbidity and complications associated with open surgery. Laparoscopic and robotic repair has supplanted open surgery as the gold standard, but percutaneous endoscopic treatment remains a relevant alternative to more invasive surgery. This review will focus on the percutaneous approach for the treatment of UPJO.

RECENT FINDINGS

Percutaneous endopyelotomy was popularized during the 1980 s due to advances in the field of endourology, allowing for well tolerated and reliable percutaneous access to the kidney. After percutaneous access to the kidney is achieved, the narrowed ureter at the UPJ is incised in a full thickness fashion in the posterolateral position from the ureteral lumen to the periureteral fat. Success rates for this procedure are nearly 90% at high-volume centres. The ideal patient who has success with percutaneous endopyelotomy has a short segment of narrowing less than 2 cm, no crossing vessel, good ipsilateral renal function and mild hydronephrosis.

SUMMARY

Although the development of laparoscopic and robotic approaches to pyeloplasty has produced outcomes that surpass those of percutaneous endopyelotomy, it remains a viable option in the appropriately selected patient, but success rates tend to decrease with longer follow up.

Minimal Invasive Treatment in Pelvic-Ureteric Junction Obstruction: A Comprehensive Review

Pelvic-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is a common condition, and one of the lead causes of hydronephrosis in children. Currently, the gold standard treatment of PUJO is open surgery using the Anderson–Hynes-modified dismembered pyeloplasty technique. However, with the advancement of medical technology, several minimal invasive approaches were developed, including endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic approach, from which the best choice of surgical technique was yet to be determined. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, the recommended option is to tailor the best surgical approach to each individual patient, and to the surgeons’ preference and experience. Considering these recent advances, a new algorithm is proposed to choose the best minimal invasive modalities invasive treatment to treat PUJO.

Concomitant management of renal calculi and recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction with percutaneous nephrolithotomy and antegrade balloon dilation

Objective

This study aimed to present our experience of concomitant management of renal calculi and recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and antegrade balloon dilation.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients who underwent PCNL and antegrade balloon dilation for treatment of renal calculi and recurrent UPJO. The inclusion criterion was the presence of UPJO after failed pyeloplasty with ipsilateral renal calculi. Success was defined as achievement of both symptomatic and radiographic resolution of any stones and obstruction.

Results

All operations were successful without grade III or higher postoperative complications. A stone-free status was observed in all patients and the overall success rate of the procedure was 87.1% (27/31). The success rate of the procedure was significantly higher in patients with mild or moderate preoperative hydronephrosis (96%) than in those with high-grade preoperative hydronephrosis (50%). Moreover, the success rate of the procedure was lower in patients with poor preoperative renal function (0%) than in those with good or moderate renal function (93.1%).

Conclusion

Combined PCNL and antegrade balloon dilation management represents a safe and effective approach for patients with renal calculi and recurrent UPJO after failed pyeloplasty.

Management of secondary pelviureteric junction obstruction

Pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) of the kidney can lead to a number of different clinical manifestations, which often require surgical intervention. Although the success of pyeloplasty and endopyelotomy are good, there are still a number of patients who fail primary treatment and develop secondary PUJO. These treatment failures can be a challenging cohort to manage. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the surgical options available to the urologist for managing secondary PUJO as well as providing some guidance on assessing factors that will influence management decisions.

Functional evaluation before stone surgery: Is it mandatory?

Functional evaluation of the renal unit has often been quoted as a standard practice for management of stone disease of the upper urinary tract. However, there is very little available evidence from the existing literature to directly support or refute this practice. Here we try to critically review the existing literature on related questions, put into perspective its clinical utility and attempt to rationalize the concept of functional evaluation in patients of renal stone disease in the contemporary era of minimally invasive surgery.

Minimally invasive surgical options for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: A significant step in the right direction

Open pyeloplasty is the gold standard treatment for adult ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) with published success rates consistently over 90%. In recent years, the management of UPJO has been revolutionized by the introduction of endoscopic procedures and laparoscopic techniques. We analyzed the long-term results of endoscopic and other minimal access approaches for the treatment of UPJO.

Early results for endopyelotomy were promising but long-term results were not encouraging. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty technique is well defined and duplicates the surgical principles of conventional open pyeloplasty. With such a large variety of minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of UPJO available, the treatment choice for UPJO must be based on the success and morbidity of the procedures, the surgeon’s experience, the cost of the treatment, and the patient’s choice. We feel that with the technological advances in instrumentation coupled with a decrease in cost and improved training of urological surgeons, laparoscopic pyeloplasty may evolve to be the new “gold” standard for the treatment of UPJO.

Endopyelotomy in the age of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted pyeloplasty

Ureteropelvic junction obstructixon (UPJO) management has undergone significant changes in the past few years. The aim of this review is to establish the role of endopyelotomy in the age of laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP). Open pyeloplasty (OP) has been the gold standard of care for UPJO for the past six decades. Due to lower long-term efficacy, endopyelotomy has failed to replace OP. However, laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) has been able to reproduce the high success rates of OP, while also achieving minimal morbidity. Unfortunately, the steep learning curve and technical difficulties have hindered its use. Recently, robot-assisted systems have enabled LP to overcome its disadvantages, and this may render endopyelotomy obsolete. Although LP and RALP are emerging as the gold standard of treatment for UPJO, endopyelotomy could carve out a niche area as a salvage procedure. Endopyelotomy will continue to have a role in the management of UPJO, albeit a smaller one.

Treatment outcomes after endopyelotomy performed with or without simultaneous nephrolithotomy: 10-year experience

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of renal calculi associated with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) has been reported to be as high as 20%. Although it has been suggested that simultaneous stone removal be performed with endopyelotomy (EP) for patients with UPJO, no crossing vessel, and renal calculi, there are no large series to date reporting in a rigorous fashion the success rate for resolution of the UPJO. This study intends to determine if stone extraction performed with EP increases failure rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed for all patients who underwent EP by a single surgeon between August 1996 and November 2006. One hundred forty-six procedures for UPJO were done in 139 patients. Success rate was compared in 105 cases (72%) of isolated UPJO and 41 (28%) cases with UPJO and ipsilateral calculi. Determination of overall success required subjective improvement and objective data based on intravenous pyelogram, computed tomography, and/or nuclear scintigraphy.

RESULTS

Overall success rate was 71% in patients undergoing EP only and 90% in 41 patients who had simultaneous nephrolithotomy (p = 0.04). The odds ratio of failure after EP was 2.9 for severe/massive preoperative hydronephrosis. When considered alone and after adjusting for the severity of preoperative hydronephrosis and/or renal function, simultaneous nephrolithotomy did not increase the EP failure rate.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that UPJO resolves at an equal rate after EP performed with or without ipsilateral renal calculi. Patients with UPJO and renal calculi should undergo stone extraction and EP in the same setting with the expectation of excellent results.

Retrograde ureteroscopic holmium laser endopyelotomy in a selected population of patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction

OBJECTIVE

Significant controversy remains concerning the best way to treat ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). This study evaluates subjective and objective outcomes of retrograde holmium laser endopyelotomy in a selected population with UPJO.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients with UPJO were referred to retrograde endopyelotomy between April 2004 and March 2007. Patients with a very large pelvis, a high insertion of the ureter, a renal split function below 20% or a long (>2 cm) stenosed ureteropelvic segment, and patients younger than 18 years were not selected for endopyelotomy, but subjected to laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Renal function was estimated on renal diuretic scan before and after surgery with a mean renographic follow-up of 35 weeks. Subjective results were based on questionnaires which were returned from 44 patients with primary (n=37) or secondary (n=7) obstruction (mean follow-up 110 weeks). Success criteria were defined as symptom relief and improved or preserved renal function.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients (66%) experienced complete symptom resolution and 10 patients (23%) had significant symptom improvement (i.e. no need for pain-killing medication). Five patients (11%) had unchanged symptoms. No difference in postoperative renal function was observed between these three groups of patients. The differences between preoperative and postoperative renal function were non-significant in each group. No major complications were observed. Five patients (11%) were referred to retreatment owing to unchanged symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy is a safe and effective treatment option in patients with primary and secondary UPJO when selected properly.

Treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction using a detachable inflatable stent: initial experience

OBJECTIVE

We describe a new method for treating ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction using a detachable inflatable stent positioned via a cystoscopic transvesicular approach.

CONCLUSION

Eleven patients with UPJ obstruction were treated using a detachable inflatable stent, 64% of whom experienced complete pain relief. In 82% of patients, no obstruction was seen on renograms obtained after the procedure. The initial results achieved in the treatment of UPJ obstruction with a detachable inflatable balloon are promising, but further research in a larger patient population is required.

Concomitant percutaneous nephrolithotomy and transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction complicated by stones

INTRODUCTION

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and stones can co exist. Therapeutic controversy exists regarding their ideal management. We present our experience of combining Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) with laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP),in patients with UPJ obstruction with multiple secondary, in the same session or staged manner.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

From November 2006 till April 2008 ten patients underwent PNL with LP at our institution. Two of these patients had recurrent obstruction and stones after PNL and endopyelotomy. All patients had multiple calyceal and pelvic calculi (>10) with sizes ranging from 3 to 24 mm. Mean age of patients was 33 years (17-55). PNL was done in standard manner and was followed by laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

RESULT

Complete stone clearance could be achieved in all by PNL. Procedure was staged in 2 due to the presence of infected hydronephrosis. 9 patients underwent dismembered pyeloplasty and in 1 Fengerplasty was done. Reduction of baggy pelvis was required in 3 cases. Mean operative time was 3. 9 hours (3-5). Postoperatively the nephrostomy was kept for an average of 2 days (1-3). Drain was removed after an average of 3. 5 days (3-5). Mean hospital stay was 5. 2 days (5-7). None of the patients required blood transfusion. Stent was removed after 4 weeks. At 6 months patients are stone free on ultrasound and show good drainage on renal scan. One year follow-up is available for 5 patients which shows a stone free status and good drainage across UPJ.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant PNL and laparoscopic pyeloplasty are feasible and safe for patients with UPJ obstruction complicated by multiple calculi. We did not encounter any intraoperative difficulty during pyeloplasty following PNL.

Comparison of surgical approaches to ureteropelvic junction obstruction: Endopyeloplasty versus endopyelotomy versus laparoscopic pyeloplasty

Several minimally invasive approaches to treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction are now in the urologist's armamentarium. This review provides in-depth analysis of endopyelotomy, endopyeloplasty, and laparoscopic pyeloplasty and suggests a treatment algorithm for proper patient selection to improve efficacy and minimize morbidity.

The use of the acucise technique for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: A trade-off between efficacy and invasiveness?

Open pyeloplasty is traditionally the recommended treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In the past decades, several less invasive procedures emerged with the advantages of lower morbidity and better patient tolerance. In 1993, an electrosurgical cutting balloon device called the Acucise (Applied Medical Resources Corp., Laguna Hills, CA) was introduced. It was presented as a straightforward, safe procedure that can be performed in a complete retrograde fashion under fluoroscopic guidance. Despite these advantages; however, it is not yet a generally excepted procedure. This is mainly due to the fact that specific patient selection is needed, and success rates are comparable with other already established endoscopic procedures. Considering the large variety of minimally invasive procedures available, treatment of choice must be based on several factors such as success rate, morbidity, cost, and surgeon's experience. Acucise is considered a good alternative for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in selected patients. However, the efficacy is significantly lower than the reference standard.

Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

PURPOSE

We quantified the burden of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the United States by identifying trends in the use of health care resources and estimating the economic impact of the disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analytical methods used to generate these results were described previously.

RESULTS

Inpatient hospitalization rates were highest in children younger than 3 years. Most patients were male and hospitalizations occurred almost exclusively at urban centers. Patients with a primary diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction between 1994 and 2000 had an overall decrease in the age adjusted rate of inpatient hospitalization from 1.1/100,000 to 0.8/100,000. Physician office visits by Medicare beneficiaries with ureteropelvic junction obstruction as the primary diagnosis showed stable overall age adjusted rates during the reported years. Between 1999 and 2003 mean inpatient length of stay and cost per child hospitalized with the primary diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction was 2.9 days and $7,728, respectively. Average length of stay decreased more for children than for adults but total inpatient spending remained stable at about $12 million.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of ureteropelvic junction obstructions are diagnosed in the perinatal period. Surgical intervention for pediatric patients has decreased with time, while there has been an increasing trend toward the conservative management of this condition.

Retrograde endopyelotomy: a comparison between laser and Acucise balloon cutting catheter

Endopyelotomy and laparoscopic pyeloplasty are the preferred modalities for treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction because of their minimally invasive nature. There are continuous efforts for improving endopyelotomy techniques and outcome. Retrograde access represents the natural evolution of endopyelotomy. The Acucise cutting balloon catheter (Applied Medical Resources Corp., Laguna Hills, CA) and ureteroscopic endopyelotomy using holmium laser are the most widely accepted techniques. The Acucise catheter was developed to simplify retrograde endopyelotomy and made it possible for all urologists, regardless of their endourologic skills. The Acucise catheter depends on incision and dilatation of the ureteropelvic junction under fluoroscopic guidance, whereas ureteroscopy allows visual control of the site, depth, and extent of the incision; the holmium laser is a perfect method for a clean precise incision. Review of the English literature showed that the Acucise technique was more widely performed, though laser had better (but not statistically significant) safety and efficacy profiles.

Antegrade percutaneous endopyelotomy

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a well-known pathologic condition with several potential associated urologic complications. The treatment for UPJO has evolved dramatically during the past two decades with the advent of minimally invasive treatment options. This has resulted in shorter hospital stays, reduced postoperative pain, and quicker convalescence compared with the gold standard, open pyeloplasty. Antegrade (percutaneous) endopyelotomy is one of the many minimally invasive treatment options for this disorder. In this article, we review the technical aspects, outcomes, and current role of antegrade endopyelotomy in the treatment of UPJO.

Tratamiento endourológico de la estenosis pieloureteral en la edad pediátrica: nuestra experiencia

Endourological treatment of pelviureteric junction obstruction in paediatric patients: our experience.

INTRODUCTION

Pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in the infancy. The gold standard of treatment is open pyeloplasty, but there is an ever greater tendency towards minimally invasive procedures. We present our serie of paediatric patients with endourologically treated PUJ obstruction, together with a review of the literature.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective, descriptive study of the children diagnosed of PUJ obstruction who were treated by an endourological technique in our centre between January 1988 and January 2005. We gathered data on 3 periods of time: 1st. Presurgical: age, sex, previous treatment, ultrasound (USS) and nuclear medicine (MAG-3) studies; 2nd. Surgical: type of procedure; 3rd. Surgical: recurrence or not and its treatment, and the current state of the patient.

RESULTS

Seven children, with an age range of 13 months to 14 years, underwent operation using an endourological technique. The treatment was secondary in five of these patients, after open pyeloplasty, and was primary in 2 cases. The preoperative USS showed grade III dilatation in 3 and grade IV dilatation in 4, and the MAG-3 study showed type II curves in 6 and a type IIIb curve in 1. Three percutaneous endopyelotomies were performed and, by the retrograde approach, 3 balloon dilatations and one Acucise. With a mean follow-up of 37 months, 2 cases of recurrence (both in patients receiving secondary treatment) have been observed, one in whom a retrograde technique (balloon dilatation) was used and the other in a patient treated by an antegrade technique. The remaining five patients are asymptomatic and show no evidence of recurrence (71% of the patients).

CONCLUSION

The endourological treatment of PUJ obstruction in paediatric patients is possible but must be individualised in each case. Larger, prospective studies need to be performed in order to reach conclusions.

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction: Optimizing Outcomes with Concomitant Cost Reduction

With the seemingly exponential increase in the use of minimally invasive techniques in urology, cost-benefit comparisons will continue to play a major part in establishing services and in improving those that already exist. The management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a focus of significant attention. An effective way of optimizing the economy of management is to understand the implications in terms of the success of each mode of treatment. Subsequently, costing models should be developed and applied in large-scale multicenter studies with the aid of health economists. The long-term benefits can then be assessed by also including patient's perceived quality of life. Economic assessment will not be enough to promote cost-effective practices. The take-up of any techniques will always be influenced not only by patient preference and surgeon expertise but also, perhaps ironically, by the way hospitals and surgeons are remunerated. In addition, the impact of the time taken to train a surgeon to carry out laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty competently may play a significant role. Until these issues are resolved, definitive recommendation for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction will continue to be made on an individual basis.

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.

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.

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty: current status

OBJECTIVE

To review current publications and report our results and long-term follow-up of laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasty for pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 147 laparoscopic transperitoneal pyeloplasties were performed between August 1993 and November 2000 (mean patient age 35.7 years, range 10-85). All patients were diagnosed with PUJ obstruction by symptoms and intravenous urography, radionuclide diuretic renography or ultrasonography. An Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty (106), Y-V plasty (28), Fenger plasty (11) and others (two) were used, according to the intraoperative findings. Twenty-five patients had secondary obstruction, having had previous surgery to the PUJ. The mean (range) follow-up was 24 (3-84) months; all patients were followed clinically and radiologically.

RESULTS

The mean operative duration time was 246 (100-480) min and estimated blood loss was 158 mL. Crossing vessels were identified in 80 cases. The success rate for all, primary and secondary patients was 95%, 98% and 84%, respectively. With one exception, all failures occurred within 6 months. Twenty-one patients (22 renal units) had simultaneous laparoscopic pyeloplasty and lithotomy; they were treated successfully and all have an intact PUJ, and 20 renal units (90%) were stone-free. The overall complication rate was 8.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

This series has comparable success rates to those of open pyeloplasty and the morbidity was minimal. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty may soon become the standard operation for PUJ obstruction, especially with crossing vessels.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction repair: when, how, what?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review factors that affect the success of ureteropelvic junction obstruction repair and recent developments in minimally invasive procedures for the repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent reports and studies further confirm earlier findings that the success rate of endopyelotomy is decreased when a crossing vessel is the primary cause of ureteropelvic junction obstruction, poor renal function and significant hydronephrosis. Various minimally invasive procedures have emerged recently for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. These include laparoscopic pyeloplasty, robotically assisted laparoscopic procedures, and percutaneous endopyeloplasty. These procedures offer potential advantages over conventional endopyelotomy, including better success rates in the presence of crossing vessels, wider caliber reconstruction of the ureteropelvic junction, and full-thickness healing with primary intent.

SUMMARY

With such a large variety of minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction available, the treatment choice for ureteropelvic junction obstruction must be based on several factors, including the success and morbidity of the procedures, the surgeon's experience, the cost of the procedure, and the patient's choice.

Pediatric ureteroscopy

Endoscopic evaluation and management of the diverse conditions involving the upper urinary tract of children is now feasible and has been shown to be safe and efficacious. This modality should be considered an essential part of the armamentarium of any urologist involved in the care of children. Continued technological advances will allow the indications for pediatric ureteroscopy to evolve. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery that have been proved in adult patients can now be offered to pediatric patients. A thorough knowledge of available equipment and the anatomic and physiologic differences of pediatric patients will ensure a successful outcome with minimal morbidity.