Ileal ureteric replacement with an ileo-psoas muscle tunnel antirefluxing technique for the treatment of long segment ureteric strictures

OBJECTIVES To develop and report our initial experience with a novel antirefluxing technique for segmental ileal ureteric replacement for the treatment of long ureteric strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2000 and January 2007, 12 cases of ureteric strictures (nine bilateral and three unilateral) were treated using a novel surgical technique in which the ureter was replaced with a segment of ileum using an end-to-side anastomosis. An antireflux valve was constructed by fixing the distal part of upper ureter (4 cm) between the psoas muscle and ileal segment (the ileo-psoas tunnel technique). The distal ileum was connected to the urinary bladder with an end-to-side anastomosis. RESULTS The 12 cases were followed-up for a mean (range) of 39.42 (12–64) months. There were no cases of pyelonephritis or signs of renal failure after surgery. There was dramatic improvement in hydronephrosis, as assessed by intravenous urography, in the 4–9 months after surgery. Cystography showed no evidence of ileo-ureteric reflux. Mild hyperchloraemic acidosis was detected in two patients and was successfully treated with oral alkalization. CONCLUSIONS In our initial experience, ileal ureteric replacement combined with the ileo-psoas tunnel antirefluxing technique is a highly effective procedure for the treatment of ureteric strictures.