Retrograde ureteroscopic endotomy using holmium: YAG laser on treatment of recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction

[Objective]To investigate the safety and efficacy of retrograde ureteroscopic holmium:YAG laser endopyelotomy for correction of recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction.[Methods]From March 2007 to December 2010,retrograde ureteroscopic Ho:YAG laser endopyelotomy was carried out in 27 patients with recurrent UPJ obstruction.The patients consisted of 17 cases after open surgery pyeloplasty and 10 cases after laparoscopic pyeloplasty.The obstruction was incised with a holmium laser fiber in a linear fasion.After completing incision,two french-4 to french-6 double-J ureteral stents were left for 8 weeks.The patients were reexamined through B-ultrasound and ECT of kidney after 3 months.[Results]Success was achieved in 24 cases without complication at average follow up for 14 months( 6-24 months).The cure rate was 88.9％.[Conclusions]Retrograde ureteroscopic endotomy using holmium:YAG laser is a safe and minimally invasive therapy for recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction.This procedure could be used primarily for these patients. Key words: Recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction ;  Ureteroscopy ;  YAG laser ;