BALLOON RUPTURE AND STENTING FOR PELVIURETERIC JUNCTION OBSTRUCTION -ABOLITION OF WAISTING IS A PROGNOSTIC MARKER

Endoballoon rupture and stenting was performed on 26 patients with pel viureteric junction obstruction. Follow-up was for a mean of 21.4 mont hs (range 3 to 44 months), during which 16 patients (64%) were asympto matic and the symptoms of eight (30%) recurred; two were lost to follo w-up. When waisting of the balloon was observed and seen to resolve du ring the balloon inflation, the outcome was successful in 75% of patie nts, compared to only 43% if this was not observed. Balloon rupture an d stenting is a useful alternative to pyeloplasty, but has a lower suc cess rate. Major complications were rare. The abolition of waisting is an important prognostic sign.