title: Retrograde Acucise endopyelotomy: long-term results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the long-term outcome of retrograde endopyelotomy with the Acucise cutting balloon as a first-line treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in 36 patients (median age 44 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients had a primary UPJO. The median follow-up in the series was 24 (6-42) months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Success, defined as a subjective and objective improvement, was obtained in 27 (75%). In multivariate analysis, only the presence of a crossing vessel (45% v. 81%) was a significant covariate for success. The success rates for primary and secondary UPJO were 74% and 77% respectively. The grade of obstruction had no impact on results. The median time to the nine failures was 3 months, and no failure occurred more than 6 months after the endopyelotomy. In 75% of the failures with no crossing vessel, redo retrograde Acucise endopyelotomy was successful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retrograde Acucise endopyelotomy is an efficient long-term treatment of UPJO with low morbidity. This technique is a reasonable choice for first-line treatment of UPJO.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Salvator, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France. elc@aix.pacwan.net
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lechevallier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eghazarian
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gelsi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coulange
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014567:Urography; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*