title: Acucise endopyelotomy: evolution of a less-invasive technology.
abstract: Since its introduction in 1993, the electrosurgical cutting balloon device (Acucise) has been utilized for endopyelotomies by a number of investigators. The fact that the procedure can be performed in a completely retrograde fashion under fluoroscopic guidance without percutaneous access has made Acucise endopyelotomy appealing to many urologists. To date, overall Acucise endopyelotomy success rates ranging from 66% to 84% have been reported. The average hospital stay has ranged from 1.7 to 3.7 days, and serious complications have been rare (transfusion 0-2%, bleeding necessitating embolization 0-3%). On the basis of its track record and its minimally invasive nature, a compelling argument can be made for use of the Acucise device whenever an endopyelotomy is indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nakada
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pearle
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D019723:Endoscopes; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*