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Objectives: There are few data on the long-term effectiveness of various endoureterotomy procedures. One such technique for the treatment of ureteral strictures and ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction utilizes a recently developed ureteral cutting balloon catheter, Acucise. This device may be used under fluoroscopic guidance alone, which significantly reduces operating time. The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term efficacy of the Acucise balloon in treatment of ureteral strictures and UPJ obstruction., Methods: Fifteen patients have been treated with the Acucise balloon, with an average follow-up of 21.6 months. Five of the patients have been followed for more than 2 years, and 11 of the patients had greater than 1 year follow-up., Results: The overall success rate, defined as resolution of obstruction radiographically or disappearance of symptoms, or both, was 73%, with only 4 overt failures. All but one of the procedures were completed in 45 minutes or less, and 13 of the 15 patients were treated as outpatients. There were two significant complications. Seventy-five percent (3 of 4) of the treatment failures occurred within the first 4 months following original procedure. Of the 4 total failures. 2 patients had ureteral strictures greater than 2 cm in length, which were likely ischemic in nature secondary to previous surgeries. One patient, with a primary UPJ obstruction, was found to have a crossing vessel at subsequent open pyeloplasty., Conclusions: The Acucise cutting balloon offers the urologist a rapid and effective alternative for the management of ureteral strictures and UPJ obstruction. In our experience, early results (3 to 4 months) are usually indicative of long-term success. Proper patient selection may further improve long-term results of this simple, innovative technique.

This study was done to determine whether minimally invasive endourologic management of calculi in continent reservoirs can be done effectively without compromise of urinary continence. Four patients with continent urinary diversions (1 Indiana pouch and 3 Kock pouches) were managed with trans-stomal pouchoscopic ultrasonic lithotripsy (n = 2), prone position extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (n = 1), or a "sandwich" combination of these (n = 1) for stone burdens up to 20 cm2. Total hospital stay ranged from one to four (mean = 2.6) days. All 4 patients were initially rendered stone free, and, with follow-up as long as twenty-five months, only 1 has had a recurrence. No patient experienced stomal leakage or other complications. This study suggests that minimally invasive endourologic management of calculi in continent urinary reservoirs can be done safely and effectively to obviate the need for more invasive percutaneous approaches or open surgery, even for some patients with large stone burdens.

Twenty-two prepubertal patients with cryptorchid testes after having previous inguinal surgery were referred. These included 17 patients in whom orchidopexy had been unsuccessful. Five patients had prior surgery for hernia and/or hydrocele resulting in surgical entrapment of the testis. Five patients had bilateral disease. In 1 patient the testis was involved in Marlex mesh, 1 had had two prior orchidopexies, and 1 had prune belly syndrome. Postoperatively the testes were in good position in the scrotum in all 22 cases, with mean follow-up of 8.9 months. All testes were of normal size, and no atrophic testes ensued following the procedures. Principle factors for success in re-exploration included initial retrograde dissection of the testis and cord, intraperitoneal exposure, and subsequent dissection and adequate lengthening of the cord with protection of the spermatic vessels.