Endoscopic treatment of benign ureteral strictures.

BACKGROUND

The traditional choice of procedure for treatment of ureteral stricture is open surgical repair. Advances in endourology have provided the urological surgeon with an alternative to open surgery for the treatment of benign ureteral stricture.

METHODS

Twenty-seven benign ureteral strictures in 24 patients were treated by the endourological method. Twelve endoureterotomies were performed using a cold knife via a 9.5Fr Storz ureteroscope and 15 high pressure balloon dilations were performed. The ureters were stented with 7 Fr double-J stents for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

The success rate was 9/12 (75%) in the endoureterotomy group and 9/15 (60%) in the balloon dilation group after follow-up for more than 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic treatment of ureteral strictures appeared to be a safe and reasonably effective modality for the treatment of ureteral strictures, especially for the short type that are non-ischaemic in origin and not associated with radiation therapy. Endourological treatment of ureteral strictures is the procedure of choice for initial management of benign ureteral strictures and has high success rates and fewer complications.