Antegrade transluminal dilatation of benign ureteral strictures: long-term results

The long-term results (follow-up of 15 months or longer) of antegrade transluminal dilatation of 127 benign ureteral strictures are assessed and analyzed. The overall success rate is 50%. When lesions were classified according to age of the stricture, status of vascular supply, and other etiologic factors contributing to formation, the following findings were evident: transluminal dilatation was successful in 30 (91%) of 33 patients with fresh strictures in whom there was no evidence of compromised vascular supply; in 23 (53%) of 43 similar strictures older than 3 months; in 3 (25%) of 12 with fresh strictures with evidence of vascular compromise; and in 7 (18%) of 39 with similar older strictures. Regardless of age of stricture and other etiologic factors, transluminal dilatation was successful in 53 (70%) of 76 patients with strictures without evidence of ischemic compromise but was successful in only 10 (20%) of 51 with strictures with evidence of devitalization. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both the age and vascular supply of a stricture and adjacent ureter when making the decision about treatment by antegrade transluminal dilatation.