G K Chow1, M A Geisinger, S B Streem. 1. Department of Urology and Section of Interventional Radiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a high versus a dependent ureteral insertion significantly affects the outcome of endopyelotomy for management of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. METHODS: Sixty patients with UPJ obstruction were treated with an endopyelotomy by way of either an antegrade percutaneous approach (n = 36) or a retrograde hot-wire balloon incision (n = 24). In these 60 patients, the ureteral insertion was high on the renal pelvis in 19 (32%), dependent in 25 (42%), and indeterminate in 16 (26%). Intravenous urography was performed 4 to 6 weeks after stent removal (8 to 12 weeks after endopyelotomy) and then at 6 to 12-month intervals. Success of the procedure was defined as resolution of symptoms and decrease in hydronephrosis compared with pre-endopyelotomy studies. RESULTS: With a follow-up range of 2 to 41 months (mean 10.3), the overall success rate was 80%. This rate was independent of whether the procedure was performed in an antegrade or retrograde fashion. A successful result was achieved in 15 (78.9%) of those with a high insertion, 19 (76%) of those with a dependent insertion, and 14 (87.5%) of those with an equivocal insertion; these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: The type of ureteral insertion (ie, high versus dependent) had no significant impact on the outcome of endopyelotomy by way of either a percutaneous or retrograde approach. As such, these anatomic variations need not play a role in a decision-making algorithm for contemporary management of UPJ obstruction.
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a high versus a dependent ureteral insertion significantly affects the outcome of endopyelotomy for management of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. METHODS: Sixty patients with UPJ obstruction were treated with an endopyelotomy by way of either an antegrade percutaneous approach (n = 36) or a retrograde hot-wire balloon incision (n = 24). In these 60 patients, the ureteral insertion was high on the renal pelvis in 19 (32%), dependent in 25 (42%), and indeterminate in 16 (26%). Intravenous urography was performed 4 to 6 weeks after stent removal (8 to 12 weeks after endopyelotomy) and then at 6 to 12-month intervals. Success of the procedure was defined as resolution of symptoms and decrease in hydronephrosis compared with pre-endopyelotomy studies. RESULTS: With a follow-up range of 2 to 41 months (mean 10.3), the overall success rate was 80%. This rate was independent of whether the procedure was performed in an antegrade or retrograde fashion. A successful result was achieved in 15 (78.9%) of those with a high insertion, 19 (76%) of those with a dependent insertion, and 14 (87.5%) of those with an equivocal insertion; these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: The type of ureteral insertion (ie, high versus dependent) had no significant impact on the outcome of endopyelotomy by way of either a percutaneous or retrograde approach. As such, these anatomic variations need not play a role in a decision-making algorithm for contemporary management of UPJ obstruction.