[A case of laparoscopic nephrectomy for ectopic vaginal ureter in a child]

An 11-year-old girl presented with continuous incontinence since infancy. Neither intravenous pyelography nor renal scintigraphy demonstrated the left upper urinary tract, but a very small left kidney was detected close to the 3rd lumbar vertebrae on computed tomography (CT). After cystoscopy, the patient was diagnosed with ectopic vaginal ureter and hypoplastic kidney. Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed. Before surgery, a ureteral occlusion catheter was inserted through the meatus which opened in the vagina. The catheter was very useful for locating the small kidney during surgery. The procedure was successful and the surgical duration was short (123 min.) with only slight hemorrhage (15 ml). The patient was able to attend school on the seventh postoperative day. We recommend laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of ectopic ureter.