Complications of Ureteroscopy

Complications of 2735 retrograde semirigid ureteroscopy procedures: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ureteroscopy is nowadays one of the techniques most widely used for upper urinary- tract pathology. Our goal is to describe its complications in a large series of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between June 1994 and February 2005, 2436 patients aged 5 to 87 years underwent retrograde ureteroscopy (2735 procedures) under video and fluoroscopic assistance. We used semirigid ureteroscopes (8/9.8F Wolf, 6.5F Olympus, 8F and 10F Storz) for 384 diagnostic and 2351 therapeutic procedures. Upper urinary-tract lithiasis (2041 cases), ureteropelvic junction stenosis (95 cases), benign ureteral stenosis (29 cases), tumoral extrinsic ureteral stenosis (84 cases), iatrogenic trauma (35 cases), superficial ureteral tumors (16 cases), superficial pelvic tumors (7 cases), and ascending displaced stents (44 cases) were the indications. The mean follow-up period was 56 months (range 4-112 months).

RESULTS

The rate of intraoperative incidents was 5.9% (162 cases). Intraoperative incidents consisted of the impossibility of accessing calculi (3.7%), trapped stone extractors (0.7%), equipment damage (0.7%), and double- J stent malpositioning (0.76%). In addition, migration of calculi or stone fragments during lithotripsy was apparent in 116 cases (4.24%). The general rate of intraoperative complications was 3.6% (98 cases). We also saw mucosal injury (abrasion [1.5%] or false passage [1%]), ureteral perforation (0.65%), extraureteral stone migration (0.18%), bleeding (0.1%), and ureteral avulsions (0.11%). Early complications were described in 10.64%: fever or sepsis (1.13%), persistent hematuria (2.04%), renal colic (2.23%), migrated double-J stent (0.66%), and transitory vesicoureteral reflux (4.58%, especially in cases with indwelling double-J stents). We also found late complications such as ureteral stenosis (3 cases) and persistent vesicoureteral reflux (2 cases). Most (87%) of the complications followed ureteroscopic therapy for stones. Three fourths (76%) of the complications occurred in the first 5 years of the series.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our experience, mastery of ureteroscopic technique allows the urologist to proceed endourologically with minimum morbidity. Despite the new smaller semirigid instruments, this minimally invasive maneuver may sometimes be aggressive, and adequate training is imperative.

Minimally invasive management of urolithiasis

The management of urolithiasis has radically changed over the last two decades. Open surgery has been almost completely replaced by minimally invasive procedures, mainly extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS). Although these treatment modalities have been proven to be very safe and effective, serious complications can occur. Prompt diagnosis is often essential and may even be lifesaving. Radiologists play an important role in this setting, since many of these complications can be readily diagnosed by imaging. Awareness of the wide spectrum of complications may be crucial in interpreting imaging studies of patients who have undergone one of these procedures. This article reviews the contemporary management of ureteric stones with ESWL and URS and illustrates the radiological findings of complications of these procedures.

Handling and prevention of complications in stone basketing

OBJECTIVE

To review the incidence, risk factors, and treatment options of intraoperative and postoperative complications of stone basketing in urology with emphasis on certain principles that must be upheld to prevent those complications.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using the MEDLINE database on stone basketing between 1970 and 2005.

RESULTS

Iatrogenic trauma due to retrieval of a stone is well known but the exact incidence is difficult to ascertain. Rarely, stone basketing can cause major trauma to the ureter, such as avulsion or intussusception, requiring open or laparoscopic intervention for ureteral continuity restoration. Mucosal abrasion, ureteral perforation, and stricture formation have also been described as complications of stone basketing. Occasionally, the engaged or broken basket can provoke anxiety even for experienced urologists. Factors that increase the risk of complications, strategies for repair, and techniques for prevention are discussed extensively.

CONCLUSION

Infrequent, surgical misadventures during stone basketing can occur and must be treated appropriately. Careful attention to instrument selection and surgical techniques and awareness of risk factors and type and site of potential injury are essential to reduce these complications.

Treatment of Ureteral Stones Using Holmium:YAG laser

INTRODUCTION

There has been a steady increase in the number of ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy. In addition to its soft tissue applications Holmium:YAG laser has also been found an excellent intracorporeal lithotripter for all kinds of stones. We here present the results of patients treated with Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy in our clinic.

METHODS

Between June 1997 and December 2002, 205 patients with a diagnosis of ureteric calculi were treated with ureteroscopy using Holmium:YAG laser as an intracorporeal lithotriptor. The stones were localized in the distal ureter in 158 patients (77), middle and proximal ureter in 47 patients (23). Stones ranged in size from 5 x 5 mm to 20 x 10 mm and the operation time was about 35 minutes (ranged 25-65 minutes). Follow-up evaluations have done at first and third months.

RESULTS

The ureteral stone could not be reached in 10 patients (4.8). Stone fragmentation or removal was accomplished in all other patients. Four patients (1.9) had proximal migration of the fragments and later treated with extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and three patients (1.5) had ureteral perforation. They were managed by double J stent placement. Two of the patients had ureteral obstruction on the third month of procedure. One of the patients was treated with open surgery. For the other one, ureteroscopic balloon dilatation was performed and catheterized by double J stent and there wasn't any complication after the removal of stent.

CONCLUSIONS

Ureteroscopic Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy is a safe, technically feasible and efficacious treatment for ureteral stones.

Complications of ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy has undergone a dramatic evolution over the last two decades. Although ureteroscopic injury is the most common cause of ureteral trauma because of the large number of ureteroscopic procedures performed, improvements in instrumentation and technique have resulted in a reduced incidence of serious complications. Despite significant technologic advances, however, surgical misadventures still occur, some of which have lasting consequences. Careful attention to instrument selection and surgical technique are critical to reduce untoward events related to ureteroscopy. As such, adverse sequelae associated with ureteroscopy should be related to the underlying pathology itself rather than to the treatment.

Ureteroscopic management of lower ureteral stones: two years' experience

A total of 140 ureteroscopies in 119 patients done between January 1992 and December 1994 at the Department of Urology, Hacettepe University Hospital, were reviewed. Factors such as previous ESWL therapy, previous surgery and use of in situ lithotripsy were noted. Success was defined as complete removal or disintegration and partial removal of the lower ureteral stones. All successes were confirmed by plain abdominal X-rays postoperatively. Of 140 stone manipulations attempted in 119 patients 106 (75.7%) were successful (in 80 by retrieval and in 26 by disintegration using electrohydraulic or laser). Perforation occurred in 4 of 13 cases where electrohydraulic lithotripsy was used for disintegration of stones. Extraction by ureteroscopic manipulation following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was successful in all of the 12 cases of lower ureteral calculi. The success rate was found to be low for lower ureteral stones in patients with previous open surgery (2/9). A total of 43.2% of the patients were medically indicated to be hospitalized following the procedure with a mean hospitalization time of 5 days (ranging in between 1 to 7 days). Ureteroscopy is an effective method for management of lower ureteral stones. Use of the electrohydraulic lithotriptor may be associated with a high percentage of complications. Previous ESWL may be associated with a high rate of success. Results in patients with previous open surgery are not encouraging. Although all patients can be subjected to the procedure on an outpatient basis, a significant percentage need a short hospitalization.

In situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of ureteric stones

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of the EDAP LT 02 lithotripter for the in situ treatment of ureteric calculi.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred consecutive patients presenting with ureteric calculi were treated with in situ piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using the EDAP LT 02 lithotripter. There were 49 patients with upper, nine with mid and 42 with lower ureteric stones. The largest diameter of the stones varied from 7 to 21 mm (mean 9.6 mm). Mild or severe hydronephrosis was present in 53 cases. Mid and lower ureteric stones were treated with the patients in the prone position, with no anaesthesia or pre-medication, and upper ureteric stones in the supine position, with intravenous sedation in 44 cases.

RESULTS

Localization of the stones was easy in 81 cases and more difficult in 19, but an intravenous pyelogram was only necessary in three cases. The number of sessions per patient varied from 1 to 3 (mean 1.17). Complete success rate was achieved in 75% of patients and partial success (residual stones < or = 3 mm) in 6%. The stone-free rate was statistically affected by stone size but was independent of stone localization or the degree of obstruction. The rate of infective and obstructive complications was 14% and auxiliary treatments were necessary in 5% of patients.

CONCLUSION

In situ piezoelectric ESWL with the EDAP LT 02 device is a convenient and efficient method for the treatment of ureteric stones.

The role of ureteroscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in various indications

Ureteroscopy is now in routine use for the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies in the upper urinary tract. We report here on our experience in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of the 11.5 F rigid ureteroscope in 85 patients and 88 ureters. An overall success rate of 68.18% (60/88) was achieved when therapeutic and diagnostic interventions were evaluated together. Success rate was 66.65% in the treatment of ureteral stones (all locations), 100% in the removal of retained catheters, and 81.82% in diagnostic interventions. Frequencies of complications like postoperative fever, stone migration, and various degrees of ureteral perforation were 5.68%, 5.68%, and 7.95%, respectively, consistent with current literature. We conclude that rigid ureteroscopy can be safely applied for appropriate indications in the hands of competent urologists.

Bilateral same session ureteroscopy

During a period of 4 years we performed 15 bilateral 1-session ureteroscopic examinations in 13 patients. Indications included bilateral ureteral and/or renal calculi, unexplained hydronephrosis, hematuria or filling defects, and bilateral ureteral stent placement in situations when conventional retrograde methods of stent placement failed. Balloon or hydraulic intramural ureteral dilation was performed in all cases before rigid or flexible endoscopy. There were no major short-term or long-term complications resulting from bilateral 1-session ureteroscopy.

The management of clinically unconfirmed positive urinary cytology

An aggressive evaluation of extravesical sites of disease in patients with clinically unconfirmed positive urinary cytology findings is indicated only in previously untreated asymptomatic or symptomatic patients (group 1) and in those with a complete response to intravesical therapy who are without evidence of disease for 1 year (group 4). Patients who have positive urinary cytology findings immediately after complete transurethral resection of bladder tumors or intravesical therapy will almost always have recurrent bladder transitional cell carcinoma and do not require aggressive extravesical evaluation initially. Transurethral resection prostate biopsy between the 5 and 7 o'clock positions along the entire length of the prostatic urethra is the technique of choice for detecting transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate, since other less invasive techniques frequently underestimate the extent of disease. In the absence of radiographic disease, bilateral ureteral lavage cytology is the technique of choice to identify the upper tract as the source of a positive urinary cytology result. Rigid and flexible ureteropyeloscopy should be performed only in the presence of radiographic or cytological evidence of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, or in patients with a history of upper tract disease who have suspected relapse on the basis of a positive urinary cytology result.

The fate of the iatrogenic retroperitoneal stone

Ureteral perforation with resultant retroperitoneal stone expulsion is a recognized complication of ureteroscopy. In a 5-year retrospective review of 400 cases we identified a 1.3% incidence of iatrogenic retroperitoneal stone dislodgment. Average followup was 21 months. Four cases were managed with observation and 1 required surgical correction of a ureteropelvic junction stricture. We discuss the management of this problem, which begins with thorough radiographic documentation in the perioperative period. Aggressive ureteroscopic manipulation and attempted stone retrieval are not warranted, and a ureteral stent should be placed. Radiographic followup and clinical observation confirm the low morbidity associated with retroperitoneal urinary stones. Patient understanding of the extra-ureteral stone location is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and mismanagement by uninformed physicians in the future.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for treatment of ureterolithiasis in patients with cystinuria

Ten of 42 patients with cystinuria admitted for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) treatment had ureterolithiasis. Of these, 3 had bilateral stones, 2 had only 1 functioning kidney, and 2 had stones in both the kidney and ureter on the same side. Only 1 patient was on medical treatment at the time of referral. After initiation of medical treatment for cystinuria, 2 patients were discharged without further intervention, 1 was discharged after placement of a ureteric stent and 10 were treated with ESWL. After an average of 1.5 ESWL treatment sessions per ureter, 8 patients became stone-free and in the remaining 2, ureteroscopy was required to complete the treatment. Problems associated with the ESWL treatment of cystine stones are discussed. It was concluded that ESWL is the treatment of choice for ureterolithiasis in patients with cystinuria because it is effective and is the least invasive procedure even in patients with cystinuria.

Ureteral stents and flexible ureterorenoscopy

Numerous methods of dilating the intramural ureter for ureteroscopy are effective when used by experts, but none is ideal. In the authors' experience, a ureteral stent left indwelling for 1 or, better, 2 weeks usually is the safest, most reliable, and least traumatic method.

Endopyelotomy and endoureterotomy with the acucise ureteral cutting balloon device: preliminary experience

Endoureterotomy and endopyelotomy usually involve an endoscopic antegrade approach. In an effort to simplify this technique, we designed an 8-mm balloon catheter with a 100-microns electrocautery cutting wire (Acucise) for retrograde incision of the ureter under fluoroscopic control. Twenty-eight patients with ureteral or ureteropelvic junction obstruction of 3.5 cm or less underwent Acucise endoureterotomy or endopyelotomy. The average operating time was 100 minutes, and the average hospital stay was 2.6 days. Follow-up was obtained with a subjective symptom score, intravenous urography, diuretic renal scan, a Whitaker test, or various combinations thereof. All patients had a minimum of 3 months of follow-up (mean 3.8 months; range 3-9 months). Overall, of the 21 patients who had symptoms of upper tract urinary obstruction, 14 (67%) had complete resolution, and another 4 (19%) had partial resolution, of their symptoms. Postoperative studies demonstrated normal upper tracts in 71% and improvement in another 14% of the patients. In our experience, the Acucise ureteral cutting balloon device provides an effective and efficient means for performing a retrograde endoureterotomy or endopyelotomy.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy for stones in lower ureter

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been accepted as the method of choice for most upper urinary tract calculi. However, in cases of stones in the lower ureter, ureteroscopic procedures have generally been preferred. Using the Dornier HM3 lithotriptor with modifications in the patient's position, we were able to successfully treat 155 unselected cases of lower ureteral calculi. The average stone size was 9.6 mm (range 5-23 mm). One hundred forty-three patients had stones located below the lower margin of the sacroiliac joint. These patients were placed in a supine position. The stones were visualized radiologically without use of a ureteral catheter in 78 percent of the patients; in 22 percent a ureteral catheter was inserted prior to ESWL to aid in stone localization. In 145 patients (94%) treatment was completed in one session; 10 patients (6%) required two sessions. Of the patients, 38 percent were free of stones one day after ESWL; 97 percent became stone free within three months, and only 3 patients required endoscopic manipulation, after ESWL. Twelve patients had stones in the midureter overlying the sacroileum. They were placed in the prone position, and the calculi were visualized with the aid of a ureteral catheter. All these patients became free of stones one month after treatment. There were no significant treatment-related complications except for bacteremia in 1 case. In view of the remarkable efficacy, negligible complication rate, and shorter hospital stay as compared to ureteroscopic stone manipulations, we recommend high energy ESWL as the primary monotherapy of mid and lower ureteral stones.

Ureteroscopy without routine balloon dilation: an outcome assessment

A retrospective analysis of 156 rigid ureteroscopic stone procedures in 145 patients revealed successful manipulation in 90%. The stone-free rate after adjunctive procedures was 95%. Access was achieved without balloon dilation in all but 18 patients. There were 24 perforations, occurring in 31% of proximal, 8% of mid ureteral and 8% of distal stone manipulations. Of the evaluable patients 63% underwent radiographic assessment for stricture disease, 75% at 6 months or more after the procedure. The stricture rate was 3.5% in all patients and 5.9% in patients with perforations. Of 37 patients evaluated for vesicoureteral reflux only 1 had reflux. Questionnaire followup was obtained for 74% of the patients (mean followup 2.6 years) and 32% felt normal within 3 days. Postoperative symptoms included flank pain (13%), renal colic (12%), pelvic discomfort (30%) and Double-J stent related complaints (49%). Of the patients 15% have reported recurrent stones. Ureteroscopy is effective and well tolerated, and it has minimal long-term complications.