Submucosal impaction of a forgotten DJ stent: addressing the unexpected

A 16-year-old man with horseshoe kidney presented with a right-sided forgotten double J stent (DJS), 1 year after bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy. X-ray of the kidney, ureter and bladder showed bilateral residual stones with no encrustations or stone formation on the DJS. Initial attempt of DJS removal using 22 French (Fr) cystoscope and 6/7.5 Fr semirigid ureteroscope failed due to resistance while pulling the DJS and inability to uncoil the upper end of DJS. Finally, percutaneous antegrade scopy was done suggestive of submucosal impaction of the forgotten DJS in upper ureter. The overlying mucosal bridge was cut using holmium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) laser and the DJS was retrieved. The index case highlights an unusual cause of entrapment of the DJS and whenever resistance is encountered, the use of force should be avoided and the cause of resistance should be troubleshooted, thereby preventing serious injuries like ureteral avulsion.

Reconstruction of full-length ureter defects by laparoscopic bladder flap forming

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic bladder muscle flap reconstruction in the treatment of extensive ureteral avulsion. Patients with full-length (re length > 20 cm) and upper ureteral (avulsion length > 10 cm) defects were eligible. All patients were treated with laparoscopic bladder muscle flap reconstruction. Peri-operative information and post-operative complications were recorded. The kidney function, urinary ultrasound or computed tomography (CT), sun-renal function tests emission computed tomography (ECT) and cystography after operation were recorded. Ten patients were included (7 with full-length and 3 with upper ureteral defects). Median age was 56 years and 70% of them were female. The average operation time and blood loss was 124 min and 92.2 ml. There was no treatment-related adverse effects including urinary leakage, renal colic, fever, etc. The median follow-up was 18.5 months (3–39 months). The surgery did not significantly alter the renal function and separation degree of the renal pelvis during long-term follow-up. Double J stents were removed in nine patients (90%) within six months after operation. Only one case was diagnosed with post-operative anastomotic stricture, and subsequently received laparoscopic ipsilateral nephrectomy one year after the reconstruction operation. All cases had normal voiding and pear-shaped cystography. Laparoscopic bladder flap repair is a safe and effective treatment approach together with several advantages for patients with full-length or upper ureteral avulsion.

Ureteral Avulsion during Semirigid Ureteroscopy: A Single-Centre Experience

Aims. The aim of the study is to present our experience with the management of ureteral avulsions following semirigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stones. This is one of the largest series reported so far. Methods and Materials. It is a retrospective and observational study done at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research over the last 18 years. Results. There were seven cases of ureteral avulsion following semirigid ureteroscopy. All patients were males with a mean age of 35.7 years. All had impacted stones, with proximal ureteric location in 6 patients and distal ureteric location in 1 patient. Five cases had two-point avulsions with loss of entire ureter. Two cases had one-point avulsion: one distal ureteric and the other mid-ureteric. Of the five cases with whole length ureteral avulsion, four were managed by classical ileal replacement of ureter and the the fifth case was managed by ileal replacement of ureter by the Yang–Monti technique. Of the two cases with one-point avulsion, one was managed by uretero-neocystostomy and the other by uretero-ureterostomy. All the patients had successful outcome. Conclusions. Even though rare, ureteral avulsion can potentially happen especially when dealing with impacted ureteric stones. Being conscious of the possible occurrence of this serious complication during any difficult ureteroscopy and exercising utmost care during the procedure are important preventive measures. However, this catastrophe can be successfully managed by either immediate definitive repair or in a staged manner.

Case report series: management of complete ureteral avulsion with review of the relevant literature

Background Endoscopic operations and ureteroscopy have become the first choice for ureteral calculi and ureter-related operations. The ratios of the complications, which are mostly iatrogenic, range between 9 and 11%. Total ureteral avulsion during URS is quite rare with a prevalence of 0–0.3%. We present three total ureteral avulsions we experienced in our clinic during the last 2 years and their treatment. Case presentation During the last 2 years, we experienced three total ureteral avulsions: one of these occurred in our clinic and the other two occurred in an external center and were referred to us. In two cases, the omental flap was rotated after ureteral reimplantation and the ureter was completely wrapped inside the omental flap. In the third case, boari flap was formed from the bladder. Due to the presence of extrarenal wide renal pelvis, anastomosis was made with boari flap after a y–v flap was rotated on the renal pelvis. D-J stents of the patients were removed at the end of 3 months. Although there was mild hydronephrosis, parenchymal thinning and a significant decrease in functions were not observed. Ureteral avulsion of the patients was successfully managed without the need for nephrectomy. Conclusion Ureteral avulsion management is an extremely difficult condition for both the surgeon and the patient. So, the most important thing is to prevent ureteral avulsion. Ureteroplasty and omental flap treatment are applicable methods with quite successful results for complete ureteral avulsions.