Ureteral reconstruction with bowel segments: experience with eight patients in a single institute

Although replacement of the ureter with a bowel segment is indicated for large ureteral defects, it is still a challenging technique for urologists. We present our experience and outcome of ureteral reconstruction using bowel segments.

Ureteral reconstruction with bowel segments was performed in eight patients in our institute between 1969 and 2009. We investigated the position and length of the ureteral defect and methods of reconstruction as well as the patients' backgrounds, postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes.

Five patients underwent ureteral replacement with isolated ileal segments alone. In one patient, the ureter was reconstructed by using the Yang-Monti procedure with the ileum. A colon segment was used in two patients who required bladder augmentation for tuberculous contracted bladder at the same time. Metabolic acidosis occurred in three patients having a solitary kidney and the ureter had to be replaced by a relatively long intestinal segment. Two patients who received preoperative radiation therapy were required to undergo additional operations. Long-term cancer-free survival was achieved in one patient who underwent ileal substitution for low-grade renal pelvic cancer.

Although ureteral replacement with a bowel segment is a challenging and useful procedure, attention must be paid to the possibility of metabolic acidosis, which is likely to occur in patients having a solitary kidney with renal insufficiency or in patients requiring a long intestinal segment for reconstruction. In addition, preoperative radiation therapy for the pelvic organs may cause postoperative complications.