[Percutaneous endopyelotomy]

The paper deals with an endoscopic correction technique for ureteropelvic stricture, namely percutaneous endopyelotomy. The authors employed the technique in 16 patients both with primary and postoperative strictures of a ureteropelvic segment. Endopyelotomy was concomitant with nephrolith extraction in some cases. The diagnosis and outcomes of the therapy were assessed from X-ray, radioisotopic, and urodynamic findings. The specific features of percutaneous endopyelotomic techniques: paracentetic nephrostomy through the upper and middle calices, introduction of a guidewire along the ureter and an auxiliary wire into the pelvis, bougienage of the nephrostomic fistula and introduction of a nephroscope into the pelvis, dissection of the stricture using a cold knife, and splintage of the ureteropelvic stricture are also described. The authors note good results of the therapy and consider the technique to be highly effective. The technique is found to be superior to open pyeloplasty.