Anastomosed ureters: fluoroscopically guided transconduit retrograde catheterization

Fluoroscopically guided, transconduit retrograde catheterization of ureters that have been diverted to a bowel conduit is often feasible in patients with patient ureteroenteral anastomoses who might otherwise require a percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) for reasons other than high-grade anastomotic obstruction. This procedure was attempted on 14 occasions and successfully accomplished on 12. In 11 of these cases, retrograde catheterization obviated PCN to provide renal drainage for a partially obstructing ureteral stricture or obstructing renal calculi, to remove ureteral calculi, or to insert a new ureteral stent after an unsuccessful attempt to exchange an existing occluded retrograde ureteral stent. The procedure also obviated Whitaker testing. On one occasion the retrograde procedure greatly facilitated subsequent PCN in an obese patient with faintly opaque calyceal calculi. These procedures were accomplished with standard angiographic equipment and, in many instances, Teflon sheaths in the bowel conduit to stabilize catheters and guide wires. No complications were encountered. The two patients whose ureters could not be catheterized in retrograde fashion subsequently required PCN.