Secondary ureteropelvic junction stricture: percutaneous dilation

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Nephrology

Background:

• Secondary ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) strictures can cause significant renal obstruction.
• Traditional open surgical repair carries risks and requires substantial recovery time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous balloon dilation for secondary UPJ strictures.
• To compare the success rate of this minimally invasive technique with open surgical repair.

Main Methods:

• Nine patients with secondary UPJ strictures underwent percutaneous incision and balloon catheter dilation.
• Postoperative follow-up included excretory urography to assess renal function and obstruction.
• The procedure involved successful dilation of the UPJ in all patients without immediate complications.

Main Results:

• Six out of nine patients (66%) demonstrated marked improvement on excretory urograms post-procedure.
• Three patients experienced recurrent obstruction within 3-18 months following the intervention.
• No immediate complications were reported during or directly after the percutaneous dilation procedure.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous balloon dilation, with or without endopyelotomy, is a viable treatment option for secondary UPJ strictures.
• The 66% success rate suggests this method is a favorable alternative to open surgery in adults.
• Further research may explore long-term outcomes and patient selection for this minimally invasive technique.