[Surgical experience of ureteral varices]

Ureteral varices have been considered to be a relatively rare disease. Recently, reports on varices have been increasing with the development of X-ray examination, especially with the popularization of renal phlebography. We diagnosed left ureteral varices in 8 cases by renal venography. In 7 of these cases, gross hematuria was the main symptom, and varicocele accompanied it in the other case. In 7 cases of hematuria, surgery, ligation and removal of the varices was performed as palliative therapy for symptom; and, in all 7 cases, the gross hematuria disappeared in 7 to 18 months postoperatively. Ureteral varices should be classified into idiopathic and secondary types. In the case of idiopathic varices, a regional operation is sufficient to prevent venous reflux of the ureteral vein, and extensive surgery is needed in cases of collateral circulation on the venograms and secondary varices because of the unchangeable postoperative venous hypertension. We concluded that surgical treatment of ureteral varices is effective and is a useful palliative procedure in spite of the short postoperative follow up.