title: Endourologic management of benign ureteral strictures with and without compromised vascular supply.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To retrospectively assess the efficacy of balloon dilation, endopyelotomy/ureterotomy, and stenting alone in the management of benign ureteral strictures with intact or compromised vascular supply.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fourteen patients with benign ureteral strictures were assessed after at least a 2-year follow-up (range 2 to 16 years, mean 6.3). Balloon dilation was performed in 81, endopyelotomy/ureterotomy with temporary stenting in 27, and ureteral stenting alone in 6 patients. Ureteral strictures were divided into strictures with intact or with compromised vascular supply.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Balloon dilation was successful in short ureteral strictures with intact vascular supply in 33 of 37 (89.2%), but only in 3 of 8 (37.5%) long ureteral strictures and in 1 of 2 (50%) recurrent ureteropelvic junction strictures. Balloon dilation was less successful when the vascular supply was compromised in 2 (40%) of 5 short strictures, 1 (16.7%) of 6 long strictures, and 2 (33.3%) of 6 recurrent ureteropelvic junction strictures. Endopyelotomy/ureterotomy was successful in 17 (89.5%) of 19 strictures with compromised vascular supply.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Balloon dilation is recommended for management of short strictures with intact vascular supply. Endoureterotomy with stenting is recommended for all long ureteral strictures, for ureteropelvic junction stenoses, and for short ureteral strictures with compromised vascular supply and benign underlying etiology.
authors.affiliation: Section of Urology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Irwin
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014513:Ureter / Q000098:blood supply; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D018666:Ureteroscopy