Endoscopic ureteral incision using the holmium:YAG laser.
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.
Hibi
H
H
Department of Urology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan. 104963@gk.amu.aichi-med-u.ac.jp
Kato
K
K
Mitsui
K
K
Taki
T
T
Yamada
Y
Y
Honda
N
N
Fukatsu
H
H
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
D006695:Holmium