[Endopyelotomy with ureteral cutting balloon device: long-term follow up of 13 patients]

This study investigated the feasibility and long term results of retrograde endopyelotomy with the Acucise ureteral cutting balloon device in the management of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.

Thirteen patients (primary: 12, secondary: 1, male: 7, female: 6, mean age: 36) with UPJ obstruction were treated by the Acucise under fluoroscopic guidance. After cutting the stenotic area electrically using cutting wire and dilatation by the balloon, ureteral catheter (7-14 Fr) was inserted for 6-8 weeks.

The mean operative time was 43 minutes, the median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. The subjective success rate (disappearance of the abdominal pain) was 92% (11/12) and the objective success rate evaluated by radiographic studies was 62% (8/13). One patient needed a transfusion but no other major complication occurred in the treatment. The failure 5 patients were now under conservative follow up.

Our limited data suggest that endopyelotomy with the Acucise device offer lower morbidity with slightly lower success rate compared other endopyelotomies. We believe that Acucise endopyelotomy can be an appropriate one of the first-line therapy for UPJO.