Minimally-invasive correction of ureteropelvic junction obstruction: do retrograde endo-incision techniques still have a role in the era of laparoscopic pyeloplasty?

Abstract

The retrograde endopyelotomy approach is safe and effective for the treatment of patients with UPJO. Both ureteroscopic laser and the hot-wire balloon (Acucise) techniques have an important role in the management of UPJO, especially in secondary cases, and they provide comparable long-term objective and subjective outcomes. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty provides far better results but with higher costs, and requires well-equipped centers and involves a long learning curve.

Feasibility Study of Precise Balloon Catheter Tracking and Visualization with Fast Photoacoustic Microscopy

“…It can improve myocardial blood flow in a localized stenotic lesion when the deflated balloon is removed [ 1 ]. Similarly, it has been applied to peripheral arterial disease [ 2 ], extracranial or intracranial cerebral vascular lesion [ 3 ], stricture of the gastrointestinal tract [ 4 ], eustachian tube dysfunction [ 5 ], and ureteropelvic junction obstruction [ 6 ]. Unlike its function as an expander of the narrowed area, the balloon catheter can also function as a blocker at the site of ruptured or torn vessels.…”

The management of secondary pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction – a comparison of pyeloplasty and endopyelotomy

“…Laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty have been deemed to be as good as the traditional ‘gold standard’ open pyeloplasty. Success rates for endopyelotomy vary hugely in the literature (41–100%) .…”