Percutaneous endopyeloplasty: description of new technique

We present a novel technique of percutaneous endopyeloplasty, in which the conventional longitudinal endopyelotomy incision is precisely sutured in a horizontal Heineke-Mikulicz fashion through the solitary percutaneous tract, thus, achieving Fenger-plasty type of repair of the ureteropelvic junction.

Percutaneous endopyeloplasty was performed in 9 patients with primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Essential steps of our novel technique include retrograde placement of a ureteral catheter over a guide wire into the renal pelvis, establishing conventional percutaneous renal access, creating a conventional longitudinal endopyelotomy incision and performing full-thickness horizontal suturing of the endopyelotomy incision in Heineke-Mikulicz fashion. Suturing was done using the novel 5 mm. Sew Right 5 SR laparoscopic suturing device (LSI Solutions, Rochester, New York) passed through the nephroscope.

Percutaneous endopyeloplasty was technically successful in all 9 patients. Mean total operative time was 100.8 minutes (range 62 to 140.), including an endopyeloplasty suturing time of 26.6 minutes (range 14 to 54.). We placed 1 to 4 endopyeloplasty sutures per case. Blood loss was minimal, mean hospital stay was 2.2 days (range 2 to 3) and the ureteral Double-J stent (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) was removed in 2 weeks. At a mean followup of 4 months all operated kidneys showed relief of obstruction, as confirmed by clinical improvement in symptoms and improved renal drainage on excretory urography and diuretic renography.

Percutaneous endopyeloplasty is technically feasible, safe and effective. Potential advantages over conventional endopyelotomy include wider caliber reconstruction of the ureteropelvic junction, full-thickness healing with primary intent, minimal urinary extravasation and shorter stenting duration. To our knowledge the initial clinical experience is presented.