title: Long-term results of antegrade endoureterotomy using the holmium laser in patients with ureterointestinal strictures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness and morbidity of percutaneous laser endoureterotomy in the management of ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 1997 and August 2000, 19 percutaneous endoureterotomy incisions, including 3 repeated incisions, were performed on 15 patients with a mean age of 61 years (range 41 to 80) to treat ureterointestinal strictures. A total of 16 renal units were treated (9 left, 7 right), including one bilateral procedure. All procedures were performed using a 200-micrometer holmium laser fiber in antegrade fashion with a 7.5F flexible ureteroscope. A nephroureteral stent was left in place for 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. Success was defined as radiologic improvement and/or the ability to return to full activity in the absence of flank pain, infection, or the need for ureteral stents or nephrostomy tubes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a median follow-up of 20.5 months (range 9 to 41), the overall success rate was 57% (8 of 14 renal units). Two patients were lost to follow-up. The mean operative time was 91 minutes, and no perioperative complications occurred. Three patients required repeated endoureterotomies, with two requiring open reimplantation. Overall, the endoureterotomy failed in 6 patients in the series, with five of the six failures involving left-sided strictures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous endoureterotomy is an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for patients with ureterointestinal strictures after urinary diversion. Better visualization and a more precise incision may make the holmium laser a safer cutting modality than alternative methods in patients with ureteroenteric strictures. Patients with left-sided ureterointestinal strictures should be cautioned that endourologic management might have a lower success rate.
authors.affiliation: Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Laven
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gerber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015653:Cystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007422:Intestines / Q000601:surgery; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014547:Urinary Diversion / Q000009:adverse effects*