Background: The objective of our study was to share the experience of the ectopic ureter and to characterize associated clinical features, medical images, and management.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 13 cases of ectopic ureter confirmed by surgery. The gender, age, abnormal urinary leakage, the site of the ectopic ureter, renal dysplasia, and surgical methods of the patients were compared and analyzed.
Results: Eleven females and 2 males with ectopic ureters were analyzed. Eight cases had the clinical symptom of persistent or intermittent urine leakage since birth. One case was with complete persistent urine leakage, and 4 cases with no urine leakage. The site of the ectopic ureters was mostly unilateral. Ectopic ureters were located in the vagina in 6 cases, urethra in 4 cases, prostate in 1, and uncertain in 2 cases. There were 3 cases with ectopic kidney and renal atrophy, 3 cases had "Y" ureter, and 8 cases had repeated ureters with duplex kidneys. Twelve cases were treated with surgery, and 1 case underwent bilateral ureteral stent implantation. Three cases were complicated with ureteral stump syndrome after surgery.
Conclusions: The classic symptom of the ectopic ureter is continuous wetting with intermittent normal micturition in most young girl patients. Ectopic ureter is often associated with duplex kidneys, ectopic kidneys and atrophic kidneys. The surgical approach should be personalized. The aim of the surgery is to make the patient without urine leakage and preserve kidney function.
Keywords: duplex kidney; ectopic ureter; leakage of urine.