Further experience with an external ureterovesical anastomosis in renal transplantation

Review of the results of the use of an external ureterovesical anastomosis in 266 renal transplantations showed that urinary fistulae occurred in 34 patients (12.8%), and ureteric obstruction in six (2.3%). The fistulae were due to technical failure of the anastomosis in 13 patients, to distal ureteric necrosis in 13, to total ureteric necrosis in six, and to other causes in two. Fistula management was successful in 26 cases (76.5%), but multiple operations were often necessary and wound complications frequent (41.2%). The continuing high incidence of urological complications following ureterovesical anastomosis has resulted in increasing use of ureteroneocystostomy as the primary form of urinary reconstruction after transplantation in this unit.