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Purpose: To develop a novel adaptation of the Whitaker test for assessing the surgical effects of ileal ureter replacement (IUR), and to evaluate its feasibility and effect in the postoperative evaluation. Patients and methods: From November 2021 to September 2023, patients undergoing the modified Whitaker test following IUR were prospectively enrolled. The relative pressure was defined as the pelvis pressure minus the bladder pressure. Successful nephrostomy removal was defined as absence of symptoms and improved or stable hydronephrosis. Results: The 51 ureters from 39 patients underwent the modified Whitaker test after IUR. The modified Whitaker test was performed successfully on all patients without any reported discomfort. The relative pressure of 47 ureters kept steady (< 15 cmH2O) throughout the examination with well ileal ureter peristalsis and was classified into type I. The relative pressure of 2 ureters increased with perfusion reaching a range of 15–22 cmH2O, with well ileal ureteral peristalsis observed (type II). The relative pressure of 2 ureters increased along with perfusion, with weakening of ileal ureter peristalsis or a leakage of contrast medium, and the relative pressure surpassed 22 cmH2O (type III). Nephrostomy tubes were promptly removed for type I and type II ureters, while removal for type III ureters occurred after a 2-month period. None of the 39 patients required additional interventions for recurrent obstruction. Conclusion: The modified Whitaker test was a safe and effective approach for the evaluation of surgical effects of IUR, offering additional evidence to assess the safety of nephrostomy tube removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose To present the experience of ileal ureter with ileocystoplasty (IUC), and compare the outcomes of IUC in minimally invasive procedures to open procedures. Patients and methods From December 2017 to April 2023, twenty patients underwent IUC in open or minimally invasive (including laparoscopic and robotic) procedures. The baseline characteristics, perioperative data and follow-up outcomes were collected. Success was defined as relief of clinical symptoms, stable postoperative serum creatine and absence of radiographic obstruction. The perioperative and follow-up outcomes of open procedures and minimally invasive procedures were compared. Results The etiology included pelvic irradiation (14/20), urinary tuberculosis (3/20) and surgical injury (3/20). Bilateral ureter strictures were repaired in 15 cases. The surgeries conducted consisted of open procedures in 9 patients and minimally invasive procedures in 11 patients. Compared to open procedures, minimally invasive surgeries had less median estimated blood loss (EBL) (100 ml vs. 300 min, p = 0.010) and shorter postoperative hospitalization (27 d vs. 13 d, p = 0.004). Two patients in the open group experienced grade 3 complications (sigmoid fistula and acute cholecystitis in one patient, and pulmonary embolism in another patient). Over a median follow-up period of 20.1 months, the median bladder functional capacity was 300 ml, with a 100% success rate of IUC. Conclusion IUC is feasible in both open and minimally invasive procedures, with acceptable complications and a high success rate. Minimally invasive procedures can have less EBL and shorter postoperative hospitalization than open procedure. However, prospective studies with larger groups and longer follow-up are needed.

Purpose: To present the experience of ileal ureter with ileocystoplasty (IUC), and compare the outcomes of IUC in minimally invasive procedures to open procedures. Patients and methods: From December 2017 to April 2023, twenty patients underwent IUC in open or minimally invasive (including laparoscopic and robotic) procedures. The baseline characteristics, perioperative data and follow-up outcomes were collected. Success was defined as relief of clinical symptoms, stable postoperative serum creatine and absence of radiographic obstruction. The perioperative and follow-up outcomes of open procedures and minimally invasive procedures were compared. Results: The etiology included pelvic irradiation (14/20), urinary tuberculosis (3/20) and surgical injury (3/20). Bilateral ureter strictures were repaired in 15 cases. The surgeries conducted consisted of open procedures in 9 patients and minimally invasive procedures in 11 patients. Compared to open procedures, minimally invasive surgeries had less median estimated blood loss (EBL) (100 ml vs. 300 min, p = 0.010) and shorter postoperative hospitalization (27 d vs. 13 d, p = 0.004). Two patients in the open group experienced grade 3 complications (sigmoid fistula and acute cholecystitis in one patient, and pulmonary embolism in another patient). Over a median follow-up period of 20.1 months, the median bladder functional capacity was 300 ml, with a 100% success rate of IUC. Conclusion: IUC is feasible in both open and minimally invasive procedures, with acceptable complications and a high success rate. Minimally invasive procedures can have less EBL and shorter postoperative hospitalization than open procedure. However, prospective studies with larger groups and longer follow-up are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To present our initial experience in the management of multiple ureteral polyps with robotic or laparoscopic ileal ureter replacement (IUR). Methods: Eight consecutive patients diagnosed with multiple ureteral polyps underwent robotic or laparoscopic IUR between July 2019 and November 2022. Unilateral IUR was performed in 5 patients with polyps in the left (n = 3) or right (n = 2) side, and 3 patients with bilateral multiple polyps underwent bilateral IUR. Demographic characteristics, perioperative data and follow-up outcomes were prospectively collected. Results: A cohort of 5 male and 3 female patients (11 ureters) with a mean age of 32.8 ± 11.3 years were included. Among these patients, 5 presented with recurrent flank pain, 1 had hematuria, and 2 were asymptomatic. Four patients experienced prior failed surgical interventions. The mean length of diseased ureter was 11.9 ± 4.7 cm, with more than 10 cm in eight sides. All procedures were performed successfully. The mean operation time was 319 ± 87.6 min with 3 patients who simultaneously underwent intraoperative ureteroscopy. The mean length of ileal graft was 23.8 ± 5.8 cm. During the mean follow-up of 20.4 ± 12.8 months, one major complication, specifically incision infection, and four minor complications, including urinary infection (n = 3) and metabolic acidosis (n = 1), were observed. All patients presented symptom-free, with improved/stabilized hydronephrosis and no signs of restenosis. Conclusion: Robotic or laparoscopic IUR is a feasible, safe, and effective surgical option for patients with long ureteral defects caused by multiple polyps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To present our initial experience and evaluate perioperative, and follow-up outcomes following the novel technique of robot-assisted laparoscopic bilateral ileal ureter replacement (IUR) with extracorporeal ileal segment preparation for bilateral extensive ureteral strictures (BEUS). We prospectively enrolled 4 consecutive patients with BEUS undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic bilateral IUR with extracorporeal ileal segment preparation between June 2021 and October 2021. A 4-arm technique was used. The demographic characteristics, perioperative data, and follow-up outcomes as well as the description of surgical technique were reported. All the patients had BEUS, and the length of strictures was over 10.ßcm in both sides. All procedures were performed effectively with a median operative time of 312.5.ßminutes (range 227-433) and a median estimated blood loss of 75.ßmL (range 50-200). In one patient, additional partial small bowel resection procedure was performed. No case was converted to open surgery. The median length of the ileal graft was 29.ßcm (range 15-32). The median postoperative hospitalization was 10 days (range 6-13). Two patients developed metabolic acidosis, and no major complications during the perioperative and follow-up period were reported. All patients presented symptom-free, with no signs of restenosis and improved/stabilized hydronephrosis, during the median follow-up of 12 months (range 12-15). We present the details and initial experience of robot-assisted laparoscopic bilateral IUR with extracorporeal ileal segment preparation. According to the median follow-up of 12 months, this minimally invasive procedure is a safe, feasible, and effective approach in the management of BEUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex urinary tract reconstruction has significantly advanced with the increasing use of robot-assisted procedures. Robotic surgery aims to achieve the same outcomes as open surgery while minimizing morbidity by causing less blood loss, faster postoperative recovery, and reducing complications. This article shares our technique, challenges encountered, and experience of robot-assisted complex urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments. Between January 2020 to March 2022, 6 patients who underwent robot-assisted complex urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments at our centre were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and operative data were recorded. Patients underwent renal function tests, blood gas analysis, and radiographic imaging in the follow-up. Symptomatic and radiologic relief were the criteria for success. Out of 6 cases, three patients underwent ileal ureter replacement, two combined ileal ureter with augmentation ileo-cystoplasty and one augmentation ileo-cystoplasty alone. The mean age, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and follow-up period were 32.6 years, 110 ± 13.1 mL, 7.0 ± 1.1 days, and 11.3 months, respectively. The indications for surgery were either benign ureteral stricture following lithotripsy or sequelae of genitourinary tuberculosis. No intra-operative complications were found. Clavien-Dindo grade-II and Grade-IIIa were found in three and one patient, respectively. During follow-up, none had compromised renal function or acidosis. Robot-assisted complex urinary tract reconstruction using intestinal segments is safe and offers the advantages of minimally invasive techniques. Techniques demonstrated in this article make these reconstructions feasible with good surgical and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Complete ureteral avulsion represents a rare and fearsome complication of ureteroscopy, reported in less than 1% of cases. In literature there are few reports and different options are presented for its treatment. We present a case of a ureteral avulsion managed with ileal ureter replacement. Case presentation A 67‐year‐old man with a left proximal ureter stone was treated at our department with ureteroscopy. During retrieval of the instrument a complete ureteral avulsion was discovered, with a so‐called “scabbard lesion”. We decided to proceed with immediate laparotomy and we performed a ileal ureter replacement. Conclusion Ureteral avulsion is a rare complication but must be known as a possible complication in high volume center. There is no standard definition regarding its treatment, and in our experience immediate treatment with ileal ureter replacement proved to be safe and effective without any changes in renal function.

Ileal ureter is a suitable treatment option for patients with long ureteric strictures. Minimally invasive techniques have been shown to be as safe as open techniques but superior in terms of lesser trauma， less bleeding and less postoperative recovery time. In order to evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic ileal ureter replacement， review of related literatures， indications， contraindications， surgical method， postoperative results combined with experience of our center has been done. Total 20 cases of laparoscopic ileal ureteral operation have been reviewed， the mean operation time was 195~480 and blood loss was 50 ~ 375ml and 7 Robotic ileal ureter replacement were reviewed median surgery time was 320~720 min and bleeding is less then 10ml~100 ml. The operation complications include urinary leakage， intestinal obstruction， anastomotic site leakage， transient azotemia， urinary tract infection and so on. Postoperative renal function of all patients was improved in different degrees. Laparoscopic and Robotic ileal ureter replacement is feasible and can be used as an effective treatment for long ureteral injuries， although the curative effect is same as that of traditional open surgery， but Comparatively laparoscopic and robotic postoperative morbidity is less and have advantages such as it reduces surgical trauma， intraoperative bleeding， postoperative complications， less surgical scar and recovery time.The cases in the reports are limited， more cases need to be studied， and long-term results need to be assessed to establish and standardize these technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureteral stenosis is a comparatively rare complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The etiology is still unclear and most believe that this may be due to the reactivation of BK virus in a state of immunodeficiency. In the later stages of ureteral stenosis with scarring, invasive interventions must be taken to relieve the hydronephrosis. Common treatments, such as D-J stent placement and permanent nephrostomy may not only entail the risk of infection, but also seriously affect the quality of life. Few cases of surgical intervention have been reported. In this article, a 25-year-old female was admitted to Peking University First Hospital suffering from recurrent flank pain. Seven years before, she developed hemorrhagic cystitis and bilateral urethritis 40 days after allogeneic HSCT. After continuous bladder irrigation and antiviral therapy, the left-sided hydronephrosis gradually alleviated while the right-sided one did not improve. D-J stents were used for urine drainage for 7 years before percuta-neous nephrostomy. Preoperative antegrade pyelography revealed significant hydronephrosis in the right kidney with long stricture of proximal-middle ureter. After comprehensive decision, she underwent ileal ureter replacement. The operation was successful. The segmental lesion was dissected and the scar tissue was removed. A 25 cm intestinal tube was isolated to connect the pelvis and bladder. An anti-reflux nipple was created at the distal end of ileal ureter to prevent the potential infection. The blood loss was minimal. After surgery, the drainage tube was removed in 2 weeks, the nephrostomy tube and the D-J stent was removed in 3 months. Follow-up mainly included clinical assessment, serologic testing, renal ultrasonography, blood gas analysis and radiological examination. During the follow-up of 6 years, she was symptom-free and no postoperative complications occurred. The serum creatinine level was stable. No hydronephrosis was observed under ultrasonography. Obvious peristaltic waves and ureteral jets of the ileal ureter was confirmed on cine magnetic resonance urography. To sum up, ureteral stenosis after HSCT is relatively rare. Obstruction caused by scarring is usually irreversible and surgical intervention should be designed according to the location and length of the lesion. Ileal ureter replacement can be a safe, feasible and effective method to solve this kind of complex stricture.

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Background: This study is an initial comparative analysis of perioperative and intermediate-term functional outcomes between patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic (RALS) or conventional laparoscopic surgery (LS)., Materials and Methods: A total of 25 patients who underwent ileal ureter replacement (10 RALS and 15 LS) were followed by functional cine magnetic resonance urography (MRU) combined with a modified Whitaker test. Also, the characteristics, perioperative data and functional outcomes of the patients were compared., Results: The estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and time to oral intake were significantly lower in the RALS group. At the median 14-month follow-up, all the patients showed improved renal function and were symptom-free, with no signs of leakage or stenosis observed by cine MRU combined with a modified Whitaker test., Conclusions: RALS with an extracorporeal bowel resection is feasible and appears to be safe, with quick postoperative recovery and encouraging outcomes., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)