Buccal mucosa ureteroplasty for the treatment of complex ureteric injury

Bowel interposition and auto-transplantation of kidney, thought to be a major undertaking, remain the traditional option for the treatment of major and complex ureteric lesions. Buccal mucosa, a well known tissue for urethral reconstruction, can be used safely for the repair of ureter. However, this has been reported poorly in the literature. Here we report a 59- year-old female who had a major ureteric injury by Dormia basket during ureteroscopic extraction of a 2.6 cm impacted stone at pelvi- ureteric junction. On exploration, a long anterior slit was found in the upper ureter measuring approximately 8 cm. It was successfully repaired by free buccal mucosal patch graft over a Double J stent. Thus, a major surgery was avoided. Intra venous urography at 6-month follow up demonstrated a patent ureter. Our experience is encouraging and merits wider application in complex ureteric lesion.