Endourological treatment of ureteroenteric strictures: efficacy of Acucise endoureterotomy

Abstract

Purpose: The Acucise endoureterotomy balloon catheter has proved to be a safe and effective alternative to open surgery for the management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and benign ureteral stricture disease. The established management of ureteroenteric strictures following urinary diversion is open surgical revision. There are few reports evaluating the efficacy of Acucise endoureterotomy in patients with ureteroenteric strictures.

Materials and methods: The Acucise cutting balloon catheter was used to treat 9 patients with 12 ureteroenteric strictures 2 cm. or less in length. Median time from diversion to stricture was 48 months (range 13 to 192). Success was defined as resolution of symptoms and radiographic confirmation of patency.

Results: Recurrence of malignancy accounted for failure in 1 patient with bilateral strictures. Of the remaining 10 benign strictures 7 (70%) required open revision or serial stent changes. The remaining 3 strictures in 2 patients have remained patent at 30 and 18 months of followup for a success rate of 30%. There were no perioperative or operative complications. Mean followup was 9 months after Acucise treatment before intervention was necessary.

Conclusions: Acucise endoureterotomy for ureteroenteric strictures following urinary diversion is a low morbidity procedure. Although the success rate is only 30%, Acucise endoureterotomy offers an alternative to immediate open surgical revision.