Long-term outcome in renal transplantation with terminal cutaneous ureterostomy

We have reviewed the complications and follow-up in 6 patients who underwent kidney transplantation with cutaneous ureterostomy. Four patients had tuberculosis, 1 myelomeningocele and another congenital stenosis of the posterior urethra. Cutaneous ureterostomy was performed by suturing the edges of the distal end of the ureter to the skin. The mean follow-up was 40.6 months (range 2-105). The patient and graft survival rates were 83.3% and 66.6% respectively during the 249 months of total follow-up. Significant bacteriuria and leukocyturia were constantly present and the incidence of urinary infection was 3.1 episodes/patient/year. The early complications of the stoma were partial necrosis in 1 case and haematoma in another. The most frequent late complication was stomal stenosis requiring periodic dilatation. A plasma creatinine of 61.88 to 114.92 mumol/l reflected good long-term graft function in the remaining patients. Terminal cutaneous ureterostomy is a simple technique with good long-term results.