Catheter dilatation of benign ureteral strictures

Twenty-seven symptomatic, benign postoperative strictures of the ureter or ureteropelvic junction were dilated with balloon or angiographic catheters in an attempt to definitively treat the strictures without surgery. Twenty-three dilatations were performed in antegrade fashion in conjunction with or subsequent to percutaneous nephrostomy, and four strictures were dilated in retrograde fashion per urethra. Thirteen of 27 strictures (48%) were successfully dilated. Certain strictures were more amenable to dilatation than others. In general, the potential for success in dilating ureteral strictures appears to be more dependent on the nature of the stricture than either its duration or the method of dilatation. Based on our initial experience, suggested techniques and guidelines for patient selection are offered.