Cold cutting of ureteral stenosis with endoscopic scissors.
OBJECTIVE
To study the procedure and results of cold cutting of ureteral stenosis with endoscopic scissors. Intrinsic or extrinsic ureteral stenosis can be congenital or acquired. Endoscopic dilation and incision is 1 potential option for ureteral intrinsic stenosis.


METHODS
During a 3-year period (2005-2007), a prospective study was performed of cold cutting of ureteral stenosis with endoscopic scissors in 17 consecutive patients (11 women and 6 men), aged 22-64 years. Of the 17 patients, 6 had been diagnosed with proximal ureteral stenosis, 3 with iliac ureteral stenosis, and 8 with pelvic ureteral stenosis. The procedure was performed with a semirigid 8.5Ch ureteroscope, catheterizing and dilation of the stenosis with a balloon catheter, cold cutting of the ureteral wall with scissors, including margins of healthy tissue at both ends of the stenosis, and a 6F double-J ureteral stent for 6 weeks.


RESULTS
The results were evaluated after 3 months with urography in 15 cases and diuretic renography in 2 cases. Analysis of the postoperative complications and urography was done at 12-24 months. Immediate success was obtained after the first endoscopic ureterotomy with scissors in 16 of 17 cases (94%). At 12-24 months, success was maintained in 88.5% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Cold cutting of ureteral stenosis with endoscopic scissors is a safe technique for the patient. This procedure could be a therapeutic option in cases of benign intrinsic ureteral stenosis of <15 mm.
Department of Urology, "San Cecilio" University Hospital, Granada, Andalucia, Spain. arrabalm@supercable.es
Miguel
M
Arrabal-Martín
Antonio
A
Jiménez-Pacheco
Miguel A
MA
Arrabal-Polo
Francisco Valle-Díaz de la
FV
Guardia
Víctor
V
López-León
Armando
A
Zuluaga-Gómez
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020709:Ureteroscopes; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000379:methods*