title: Clinical and experimental evaluation of ureteric dilatation.
abstract: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of ureteric dilatation (performed as a prelude to rigid ureteroscopy) on the vesicoureteric mechanism in experimental animals and man. Through a vesicotomy the left ureteric orifices of 10 anaesthetised male New Zealand White rabbits were dilated approximately 3-fold (to 4-5F) using Seldinger wires and gradated cannulae. Serial intravenous urograms and histological examination of the excised vesicoureteric junctions were performed at intervals of 2 weeks. Histologically, acute inflammatory changes were noted at 24 h, but at 2 to 8 weeks the histological appearances were normal. Radiologically, transient upper tract dilatation was noted in three animals. In 10 patients, intravenous urograms and micturating cystograms were performed 3 months after ureteric dilatation to 14F (prior to ureteroscopy). One asymptomatic patient had grade 1 vesicoureteric reflux but no other radiological abnormalities were found. It is concluded that ureteric dilatation is a safe procedure which merits reassessment as a urological technique.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004106:Dilatation; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D014513:Ureter / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000209:etiology