V. Ravery et al., BALLOON CATHETER DILATATION IN THE TREATMENT OF URETERAL AND URETEROENTERIC STRICTURE, Journal of endourology, 12(4), 1998, pp. 335-340
Balloon catheter dilatation is a low-cost alternative to open surgery
in patients with ureteral strictures, leading to low morbidity and sho
rt hospitalization. The goal of this study was to evaluate the results
of this technique in patients with inflammatory ureteral strictures o
r ureteroenteric strictures after radical cystectomy. Twenty-five uret
eral strictures in 20 (15 male, 5 female) patients were consecutively
treated by high-pressure balloon dilatation: 14 cases of ureteroenteri
c stricture (9 after ileal cutaneous diversion, and 5 after orthotopic
enterocystoplasty) and 11 of ureteral stricture from various inflamma
tory causes (tuberculosis, iatrogenic injury, radiation therapy, paras
itosis), Dilatation was performed by an antegrade (ureteroenteric stri
ctures) or retrograde (inflammatory strictures) approach using a ballo
on insufflated up to 10 to 20 atm for 5 to 15 minutes. The ureter was
stented for a mean time of 2.1 months (range 1-5 months). Results were
evaluated clinically and radiologically (intravenous urogram or CT sc
an). Immediate success was assessed by intraoperative radiologic monit
oring, Long-term success was defined as the absence of recurrence of t
he stenosis after 6 months. Nineteen procedures were successful among
the 23 evaluable cases. With a mean follow-up of 16 months (range 6-39
months), the long-term success rate was 52%: 40% in ureteral strictur
es and 61% in ureteroenteric strictures. Five strictures secondary to
cutaneous diversion and six caused by radiation therapy recurred after
dilatation. After cutaneous diversion, the failure occurred mostly at
the anastomosis and involved the crossed-over ureter, This study show
s that high-pressure balloon dilatation of ureteral strictures has a h
igh early success rate and a long-term success rate of 52%, It can the
refore be considered as an alternative to open surgery.