Retrograde Ureteroscopic Thulium Fiber Laser Endopyelotomy Versus Laparoscopic Dismembered Anderson–Hynes Pyeloplasty: A Single-Centre Experience - European Medical Journal

Retrograde Ureteroscopic Thulium Fiber Laser Endopyelotomy Versus Laparoscopic Dismembered Anderson–Hynes Pyeloplasty: A Single-Centre Experience

1 Mins
Urology
Authors:
Alexey G. Martov,1,2 Dimitry V. Ergakov,1,2 Mikhail Yu. Golubev,1 Pavel M. Golubev,1 Nikolay A. Baykov,1 David A. Abdullaev,1 *Olga A. Plekhanova2
Disclosure:

The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Citation:
EMJ Urol. ;8[Suppl 2]:26-27. Abstract Review No: AR3.
Keywords:
Laparoscopic pyeloplasty, thulium laser endopyelotomy, thulium fiber laser, ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Each article is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 License.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy is an alternative treatment of short (<1 cm) ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. In current literature, the use of holmium laser (AurigaTM, Boston Scientific, Massachusetts, USA) for this kind of surgery is still not widely described. With regard to the thulium fiber laser (FiberLase U1®, IRE-Polyus), there is limited similar data. Recently, the authors reported initial results of thulium fiber laser application for UPJ stricture management.1 The advantage of thulium laser application is low penetration depth (0.2 mm) while obtaining a controlled and safe tissue cut.2 Recent comparatives studies showed fewer favourable outcomes regarding endopyelotomy, compared with open or laparoscopic pyeloplasty;3 however, the role of thulium laser retrograde endopyelotomy should be investigated in more detail.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde UPJ stricture treatment with a thulium laser. A total of 94 patients with UPJ strictures treated at Pletnev City Clinical Hospital between 2015 and 2019 was retrospectively divided into two groups. The first group included patients who had been treated with retrograde laser endopyelotomy; the second group of patients had undergone laparoscopic dismembered (Anderson–Hynes) pyeloplasty.

Preoperative parameters were assessed: the nature of the stricture (primary or secondary, after failed treatment), the kidney function decrease, the presence of crossing vessels, the obstruction length, and renal pelvis dilatation. All patients in the first endoscopic group had no crossing vessels and presented with obstruction length <1 cm. The indications in both groups for intervention were pain, recurrent pyelonephritis, and concomitant upper tract stones.

RESULTS

There was a shorter operation time (24±14 min versus 82±2 min) and postoperative stay (2±1 versus 4±2 days) for retrograde thulium laser endopyelotomy patients in comparison to the laparoscopic group. One-year follow-up evaluation was undertaken for 36 patients from the first group, and for 29 patients from the second group. Two recurrences (4.2%) occurred in the first group, and one (2.2%) after laparoscopic surgery. The renal pelvis dilation decreased in 34 (94.4%) and 28 (89.6%) patients, respectively. The study demonstrated slightly better outcomes for laparoscopic pyeloplasty compared to laser endopyelotomy in terms of kidney function increase (89.6% versus 72.2% of patients experiencing any increase).

CONCLUSION

The authors presented their initial experience of thulium laser application for the treatment of retrograde UPJ stricture (Figure 1). Suggested indications for this treatment are primary or secondary UPJ stricture with length <1 cm, no crossing vessels, and renal pelvis dilatation ≤4 cm. Current literature supports endoscopic management of UPJ strictures for cases of previously-failed open or laparoscopic reconstructive surgery.4,5 As the next step of this study, the authors intend to recruit more patients and perform a 24-month follow-up of earlier treated patients. The authors consider the thulium fiber laser retrograde endopyelotomy to be a feasible and safe procedure for a variety of UPJ strictures.

Figure 1: Retrograde thulium laser endopyelotomy in a patient with ureteropelvic junction stricture.

Surgery performed by Alexey G. Martov at Department of Urology, D.D. Pletnev City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia, in 2019. Patient consent provided.

References
Martov AG et al. The performance criteria of retrograde ureteroscopic laser endopyelotomy. Abstract 390. Russian Society of Urologists Annual Meeting, 19-21 September, 2019. Muto G. Thulium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser for en bloc resection of bladder cancer: clinical and histopathologic advantages. J Urology. 2014;83(4):851-5. Jacobs et al. Variation in the use of open pyeloplasty, minimally invasive pyeloplasty, and endopyelotomy for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in adults. J Endourol. 2017;31(2):210-5. Canes D et al. Minimally invasive approaches to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Urol Clin North Am. 2008;35(3):425-39. Patel T et al. Efficacy of endopyelotomy in patients with secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. J Endourol. 2011;25(4):587-91.

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