End-to-end ureteral anastomosis: a simple alternative to cutaneous ureterostomy in selected patients.
End-to-end of terminal ureteral segments seems to be a good alternative to terminal cutaneous ureterostomy in very selected cases (patients with short life-expectancy or when it is impossible to utilize the bowel for urinary diversion).


BACKGROUND
An end-to-end ureteral anastomosis (UA) drained by a single percutaneous nephrostomy is proposed as an alternative to permanent cutaneous ureterostomy.


METHODS
In eight patients who underwent radical cystectomy, an end-to-end UA was realized. All patients had an advanced pelvic neoplasm and/or severe comorbidities with a short life-expectancy.


RESULTS
End-to-end UA is a very simple intervention, well tolerated by the patient that requires only the periodic substitution of the nephrostomy.


CONCLUSIONS
In very selected cases (patients with short life-expectancy, advanced disease) end-to-end UA is a quick and easy way to divert the urine after bladder removal.
Panella
Paolo
P
Urology Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy, panellapaolo@tiscali.it
Pepe
Pietro
P
Motta
Luigi
L
D'Arrigo
Letterio
L
Savoca
Francesco
F
Candiano
Giuseppe
G
Pennisi
Michele
M
Aragona
Francesco
F
D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D015653:Cystectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*; D014519:Ureterostomy