Treatment of ureteropelvic strictures with percutaneous pyelotomy: experience in 62 patients.

Percutaneous pyelotomy (endopyelotomy) is an endoscopic technique for the management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In a series of 62 consecutive patients, the success rate (measured by symptom-free status and improved uroradiographic findings) was 85%, including both primary and secondary obstructions. All failures were apparent within 3 months of the procedure and required open surgery. There were two major complications during the procedure. Our experience indicates that percutaneous pyelotomy is an effective alternative to traditional open pyeloplasty and has a similar success rate, lower morbidity, and a shorter recovery time.