Background: The treatment of bilateral long segment ureteral strictures is challenging. Minimally invasive bilateral ileal ureter replacement has been presented with limited experience. This study presents the results of the largest known sample size of minimally invasive bilateral ileal ureter replacement as well as the very first experience of minimally invasive bilateral ileal ureter replacement.
Case description: From April 2021 to October 2022, nine cases of laparoscopic bilateral ileal ureter replacement for bilateral long-segment ureteral strictures were recruited from the database of RECUTTER. Patient characteristics, perioperative data and follow-up outcomes were gathered retrospectively. Success was defined as relieved hydronephrosis and a stable renal function without serious complications. All the nine patients underwent the procedure successfully without serious complications or conversion. The median stricture length of bilateral ureters was 15 cm (range, 8-20). The median length of the ileum used was 25 cm (range, 25-30). The median operative time was 360 minutes (range, 270-400). The median estimated blood loss was 100 mL (range, 50-300). The median postoperative hospital stay was 14 days (range, 9-25). At a median follow-up of 9 months (range, 6-17), all patients maintained stable renal function and showed improvement in hydronephrosis. Four postoperative complications were recorded, including three urinary tract infections and one incomplete bowel obstruction. No serious postoperative complications occurred.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic bilateral ileal ureter replacement is safe and feasible for bilateral long-segment ureteral strictures. However, a large sample size with long-term follow-up is still needed to further demonstrate it as the preferred option.
Keywords: Ureteral stricture; case series; ileum; laparoscopic; ureter replacement.
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