[Endourological treatment of ureteropelvic obstruction using holmium YAG laser].
BACKGROUND
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is defined as an impairment of urine outflow from the pelvis to the ureter. Several treatment approaches are in use.


OBJECTIVE
To present the different endo-urological approaches--retrograde and antegrade techniques --for UPJO using the holmium: YAG laser.


METHODS
We followed 67 patients who underwent endopyelotomy between 1994 - 1997 and compared the different approaches for the treatment of UPJO.


RESULTS
A total of 67 patients were operated, 52 patients using retrograde approach and 15 using antegrade approach. In the retrograde approach success was achieved in 48 patients (93%) and in 14 patients (94%) in the antegrade approach. Complications rate was 10% and 40%, respectively. Hospital stay was 2.2 days in the retrograde approach and 4.6 in the antegrade approach.


CONCLUSIONS
The success rate in the different endourologic approaches was high and no difference between the two approaches was identified. From our experience, lower complication rate and shorter hospital stay make the retrograde approach more advantageous.
Shilo
Yaniv
Y
Department of Urology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
Zisman
Amnon
A
Stav
Kobi
K
Lindner
Arie
A
Siegel
Yoram I
YI
D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery*; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*