Background: In case of advanced colorectal cancer or other malignancies with pelvic involvement, tumor invasion of the ureter may afford partial ureteral resection for curative multivisceral resection. One preferable approach for the primary reconstruction of the urinary tract to preserve the ipsilateral kidney and maintain normal urinary function is transureteroureterostomy, i.e. termino-lateral anastomosis of both ureters.
Materials and methods: Between June 2001 and August 2004, 15 multivisceral en bloc resections including a distal tumor-infiltrated ureteral segment were performed. Reconstruction was achieved by transureteroureterostomy with or without additional insertion of double J stents. Clinical outcome and especially complications of the urinary tract were monitored within the follow-up-period until August 2005.
Results: Post-operative course was uncomplicated in 12 cases and double J stents were removed after ultrasound control on the 14th post-operative day. Percutaneous nephrostomy was post-operatively necessary in three patients who were initially operated without insertion of double J catheters: two suffered from leakage of the transureteroureterostomy and one patient had bilateral hydronephrosis due to stenosis of the transureteroureterostomy. After 6 weeks, percutaneous nephrostomy could be removed and urine flow was uncomplicated in all three patients.
Conclusion: For patients with advanced colorectal cancer or other pelvic malignancy, transureteroureterostomy is a favourable technique for definitive reconstruction of the urinary tract whenever tumor resection affords partial ureteral resection. Intra-operative insertion of double J stents into both ureters is highly recommended to prevent leakage or stenosis of the anastomosis.