title: Laparoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for ectopic ureter: surgical technique.
abstract: A duplex kidney associated with a poorly functioning upper-pole segment is commonly associated with incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and urinary tract infections. A standard treatment option for this condition is upper-pole heminephrectomy. With the continued development of minimally invasive urology, this technique can now be safely performed laparoscopically. This report details step by step our technique of laparoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy. Key points include placement of a catheter in the normal ureter at the start of the case, full mobilization of the upper-pole ureter away from the renal hilum, and precise identification of the vasculature supplying the upper pole. Laparoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for ectopic ureter is safe and reproducible and offers the patient the typical postoperative benefits of laparoscopic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Vincent G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: J Christopher
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Howard N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Winfield
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014513:Ureter / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000601:surgery*