OBJECTIVES: Complications of the ureterovesical anastomosis after renal transplantation are the most frequent surgical complications, estimated to occur in 3 to 20% of cases, depending on the series. Various techniques have been used to treat anastomotic leaks, stenoses or reflux. We present the results of pyeloureterostomy using the recipient's own ureter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 520 cadaver kidney renal transplantations were performed between 1988 and 1996. The ureterovesical anastomosis was performed according to the Lich Gregoir technique. Sixteen recipients (3%) developed an anastomotic complication: 9 stenoses (1.7%), 6 leaks (1.1%), 1 reflux (0.2%). The mean age of the donor was 37 years and the mean cold ischaemia time was 30 hours. There were 8 right kidneys and 8 left kidneys, transplanted in the right iliac fossa in 11 cases and left iliac fossa in 5 cases. The mean age of the recipients was 42 years, and they were transplanted for nephropathy in 15 cases and uropathy in 1 case. Surgical revision was performed 1 month after transplantation for anastomotic leaks and after 14 months for stenoses. In every case, the native ureter was identified by a ureteric catheter via a midline incision except for 3 cases of early anastomotic leak (< 3 days). The native ureter was sectioned without associated ipsilateral nephrectomy then anastomosed to the renal pelvis of the transplant, which was then drained by a Gil-Vernet catheter (10 cases) or ureteric stent (6 cases). RESULTS: One transplant was lost on D1 due to renal vein thrombosis. One nephrostomy was inserted on D2 due to obstruction of the ureteric stent. Follow-up pyelography on D15 was normal in every case. The mean follow-up was 2.5 years (2.9 years for anastomotic leaks, 2.2 for stenoses, 3.6 for reflux). One patient died with a functional renal transplant 3 years after the operation and one transplant was lost due to chronic rejection 4 years later. No complications involving the native kidney ipsilateral to the anastomosis were observed and there were no repeated ureteric complications. Mean creatinine 3 years after the operation was 141 mumol/l. CONCLUSION: Pyeloureterostomy is a reliable technique in the case of complications of the ureterovesical anastomosis. Pyeloureterostomy via a midline incision allowed one-stage definitive treatment of all anastomotic complications of the ureterovesical anastomosis with a low morbidity.
OBJECTIVES: Complications of the ureterovesical anastomosis after renal transplantation are the most frequent surgical complications, estimated to occur in 3 to 20% of cases, depending on the series. Various techniques have been used to treat anastomotic leaks, stenoses or reflux. We present the results of pyeloureterostomy using the recipient's own ureter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 520 cadaver kidney renal transplantations were performed between 1988 and 1996. The ureterovesical anastomosis was performed according to the Lich Gregoir technique. Sixteen recipients (3%) developed an anastomotic complication: 9 stenoses (1.7%), 6 leaks (1.1%), 1 reflux (0.2%). The mean age of the donor was 37 years and the mean cold ischaemia time was 30 hours. There were 8 right kidneys and 8 left kidneys, transplanted in the right iliac fossa in 11 cases and left iliac fossa in 5 cases. The mean age of the recipients was 42 years, and they were transplanted for nephropathy in 15 cases and uropathy in 1 case. Surgical revision was performed 1 month after transplantation for anastomotic leaks and after 14 months for stenoses. In every case, the native ureter was identified by a ureteric catheter via a midline incision except for 3 cases of early anastomotic leak (< 3 days). The native ureter was sectioned without associated ipsilateral nephrectomy then anastomosed to the renal pelvis of the transplant, which was then drained by a Gil-Vernet catheter (10 cases) or ureteric stent (6 cases). RESULTS: One transplant was lost on D1 due to renal vein thrombosis. One nephrostomy was inserted on D2 due to obstruction of the ureteric stent. Follow-up pyelography on D15 was normal in every case. The mean follow-up was 2.5 years (2.9 years for anastomotic leaks, 2.2 for stenoses, 3.6 for reflux). One patient died with a functional renal transplant 3 years after the operation and one transplant was lost due to chronic rejection 4 years later. No complications involving the native kidney ipsilateral to the anastomosis were observed and there were no repeated ureteric complications. Mean creatinine 3 years after the operation was 141 mumol/l. CONCLUSION: Pyeloureterostomy is a reliable technique in the case of complications of the ureterovesical anastomosis. Pyeloureterostomy via a midline incision allowed one-stage definitive treatment of all anastomotic complications of the ureterovesical anastomosis with a low morbidity.