Endoscopic treatment of intraluminal ureteral suture with holmium laser

Abstract

Although reconstructive surgery is the most accepted treatment for ureteral injury, there are reports of cases where endourologic treatment led to correct resolution of the problem. We present the case of a female patient aged 72-year-old who was previously underwent sacralcolpopexy because of anterior vaginal compartment prolapse. The patient underwent surgery to remove the mesh, due to the pain she had had since it was placed. A mid-line laparotomy was performed removing completely the mesh. At 48 hours after intervention, the patient started feeling an intense pain in the left renal fossa that was not relieved with anti-inflammatories and morphic drugs. In the diagnostic ureteroscopy, it was found iatrogenic suture of the ureter. Due to the availability of holmium laser, an endoureterotomy was performed in the 12h central position on the tip, with laser parameters of 1J-10Hz. A 6F ureteral stent was maintained for one month. During follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic and without dilation of the left system on imaging tests. Although we accept that open reconstruction is the gold standard treatment for ureteral trauma, we describe holmium laser endoureterotomy as a promising technique to consider in the event of ureteral intraluminal ligation.

Keywords

• Ureteral trauma
• Endourology
• Homium laser