Male infant with a single-system ectopic ureter that required the removal of the ureteral stump after nephrectomy

Abstract

The necessity of removing ureteral stumps after upper tract surgery for ectopic ureters has been debated, because the procedure can be difficult to carry out and might cause injury to bladder continence mechanisms. Fortunately, ureteral stumps rarely cause problems. We herein report the case of a single-system ectopic ureter that required the removal of the ureteral stump after nephrectomy. In our case, reflux into the ectopic ureter adversely affected the dilation of the ureteral stump. Although urine might flow through an ectopic opening during the voiding phase as a result of high pressure, residual urine might be unable to flow during the storage phase because of low pressure in the ureteral stump. The removal of ureteral stumps might be required in patients with reflux into ectopic ureters. When surgical intervention is necessary for patients with megaureters, cystourethroscopy should be carried out to more accurately clarify the anatomy of the lower urinary tract.