Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation: prospective evaluation of medium-term results and current developments

Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation is a feasible method for treating ureteral pathology with good preliminary results in the literature. In this study, we review our medium-term results for laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation and discuss current developments of this procedure. Twenty-four laparoscopic ureteral reimplantations were performed between August 2003 and December 2008 for ureteral strictures or ureteral injuries. The mean age was 53.5 years (8 men, 16 women). Patient demographics, preoperative symptoms, radiological imaging, complications, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Ten patients underwent vesicopsoas-hitch, nine patients had a vesicopsoas-hitch combined with Boari-flap, and five had Lich-Gregoir extravesical ureteral reimplantations. Success was defined as relief of obstruction on postoperative imaging studies, as well as symptomatic relief. Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantations were successfully performed in all patients. The mean operative time was 215 min (131-351). Mean estimated blood loss was 283 ml (50-550). One patient had an intraoperative bowel injury which was managed laparoscopically during the same procedure. There were two postoperative complications; two prolonged ileus and one deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Mean hospital stay was 8.7 days. Average time to return to normal activity was 2.6 weeks. Postoperative radiological imaging studies showed good drainage, without hydronephrosis, in 23 patients (success rate 95.8 %) at a median follow up interval of 35 months. Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation is an effective procedure with good medium-term results. We believe that this procedure will become an established treatment option.