Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser endoureterotomy for the treatment of transplant kidney ureteral strictures.
BACKGROUND: The management of ureteral strictures in transplanted kidney is challenging. Open surgical treatment is effective but entails significant convalescence. Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser endoureterotomy is useful for other types of ureteral obstruction, and we aimed to assess its long-term success for strictures of transplant kidney ureters. METHODS: We reviewed the course of 12 kidney transplant patients managed with Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy and/or percutaneous ureteroscopic balloon dilatation for ureterovesical anastomotic strictures or ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Success was defined as stable serum creatinine and no hydronephrosis on follow-up. RESULTS: Of the patients, nine had ureterovesical anastomotic strictures. Of the six treated with balloon dilatation and Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, the success rate was 67% (58 months mean follow-up). Both strictures with failure were longer than 10 mm. Of the three patients treated with balloon dilatation only, there was success in only one (14 months follow-up) and both strictures with failure were shorter than 10 mm. There were three patients treated for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, one with balloon dilatation and two with balloon dilatation plus Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, all successfully (57 months mean follow-up). Overall, of the eight strictures 10 mm or shorter, there was success rate in six (75%), with 52 months mean follow-up, including five of five (100%) treated with laser endoureterotomy and one of three (33%) treated with only balloon dilation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy should be a first line treatment for ureteral strictures of length 10 mm or shorter in kidney transplant patients.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Yttrium
- Ureterostomy
- Ureteroscopy
- Ureteral Obstruction
- Surgery
- Retrospective Studies
- Postoperative Complications
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Laser Therapy
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Yttrium
- Ureterostomy
- Ureteroscopy
- Ureteral Obstruction
- Surgery
- Retrospective Studies
- Postoperative Complications
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Laser Therapy