TECHNIQUES FOR BYPASSING AND STENTING URETERAL OBSTRUCTIONS

The advent of current endourological equipment and combined cystoscopi c fluoroscopy allows the urologist to divert and/or stent the majority of benign and malignant ureteral obstructions in either a retrograde or antegrade fashion. We report on our recent experience in managing 1 05 obstructed renal units to formulate a troubleshooting endourologica l algorithm for bypassing and stenting ureteral obstructions. The meth ods described allow for safe and successful stent diversion in the maj ority of patients with ureteral obstruction requiring initial or prima ry endourological management. The algorithm presents alternative techn iques for bypassing and stenting ureteral obstructions.