Urinary Tract Fistulas: Transrenal Reversible Ureteral Occlusion With Detachable Semicompliant Balloons

To evaluate transrenal reversible ureteral occlusion with detachable balloons in patients with treatment-refractory urinary tract fistulas.

From September 2009 to September 2013, reversible occlusion of 18 ureters (7 men, 3 women; 27-74 years) with treatment-refractory urinary leakage mostly because of tumor disease or iatrogenic surgical injury was performed. Nephrostomy was exchanged fluoroscopically into an 8F or 9F sheath, which was introduced into the ureter to the point of intended balloon inflation. The prepared semicompliant balloon on a special microcatheter was introduced into the sheath, inflated, and detached. A nephrostomy tube was placed in the pelvicalyceal system. After healing of the fistulas, urinary flow was restored by transureteral removal or computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture of the balloons.

Hundred percent successful placement of the balloons and initial urinary fistula occlusion was achieved (18 of 18 ureters). One patient was lost during follow-up. Six of the remaining 9 patients needed reocclusion because of balloon dislocation or deflation (secondary technical success 83%; 5 of 6 ureters). A z-shaped ureter made reocclusion unsuccessful. Mean duration of ureteral occlusion was 74 days (5-250 days). After healing of the fistulas, intentional ureteral recanalization by percutaneous puncture or transureteral balloon removal was feasible. Anterograde urination was achieved in 5 of 9 patients (clinical success rate 55%). Four fistulas did not heal. Two patients died from their underlying disease.

Transrenal reversible off-label ureteral occlusion with semicompliant detachable balloons is feasible with a high technical success rate. Long-term ureteral occlusion can be achieved in nearly all patients with a moderate clinical success rate in heavily diseased patients.