title: Endoscopic ureteral incision using the holmium:YAG laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We reviewed the results of endoscopic ureteral incision for benign ureteral stricture, ureteropelvic junction obstruction and ureteroenteroanastomotic stricture using the holmium laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out endoscopic ureteral incision using the holmium laser through an 8-Fr semirigid or 6.9-Fr flexible ureteroscope on 17 ureters in 15 patients. Balloon dilatation was not necessary before insertion of the ureteroscope. The stricture was incised with the holmium laser using a 200-365 microm fiber through the working channel of the ureteroscope. After completion of the incision, a 12-Fr double-J catheter was left for 6 weeks. Thereafter patients were followed by renal scan and/or ultrasound and excretory urography at 3-6 month intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operative time was 65 min (18-135 min). The stricture resolved completely in 86.7% of cases at an average follow up of 20.5 months (11-32 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The holmium laser endoscopic ureteral incision was associated with a good outcome in our series. We recommend this procedure to be employed initially because it is less invasive and has a favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan. 104963@gk.amu.aichi-med-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hibi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitsui
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taki
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fukatsu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006695:Holmium; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D020709:Ureteroscopes
chemical_list: D006695:Holmium