Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser endoureterotomy for the treatment of transplant kidney ureteral strictures

Background. The management of ureteral strictures in transplanted kidney is challenging. Open surgical treatment is effective but entails significant convalescence. Holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser endoureterotomy is useful for other types of ureteral obstruction, and we aimed to assess its long-term success for strictures of transplant kidney ureters. Methods. We reviewed the course of 12 kidney transplant patients managed with Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy and/or percutaneous ureteroscopic balloon dilatation for ureterovesical anastornotic strictures or ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Success was defined as stable serum creatinine and no hydronephrosis on follow-up. Results. Of the patients, nine had ureterovesical anastornotic strictures. Of the six treated with balloon dilatation and Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, the success rate was 67% (58 months mean follow-up). Both strictures with failure were longer than 10 mm. Of the three patients treated with balloon dilatation only, there was success in only one (14 months follow-up) and both strictures with failure were shorter than 10 mm. There were three patients treated for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, one with balloon dilatation and two with balloon dilatation plus Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, all successfully (57 months mean follow-up). Overall, of the eight strictures 10 mm or shorter, there was success rate in six (75%), with 52 months mean follow-up, including Five of five (100%) treated with laser endoureterotomy and one of three (33%) treated with only balloon dilation. Conclusions. Our results suggest that Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy should be a first line treatment for ureteral strictures of length 10 mm or shorter in kidney transplant patients.