The Application of Endoscopic Techniques in the Management of Upper Tract Recurrence After Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion

Management of upper urinary tract problems after radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma: tips and tricks

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

After radical cystectomy (RC) patients are at risk for both benign and malignant problems regarding the upper urinary tract (UUT). This review summarizes the recent literature and provides tips on how to manage problems of the UUT after RC.

RECENT FINDINGS

Disease recurrence, kidney stones and ureteroenteric strictures (UES) are common after RC. Endourological techniques can be used to treat low-grade disease recurrence, either with a retrograde or antegrade approach. Treatment success depends on getting access to the UUT and on tumor characteristics; selecting the right approach is key. Kidney stones can be treated endourologically with good results. With use of minimal invasive techniques such as robot cystectomy, a higher incidence of UES is observed. The use of indocyanine green could help to prevent this complication. In case of a stricture, primary reconstruction should be the treatment strategy of choice.

SUMMARY

After RC, recurrence of the UUT remains a complicated problem. Choice of treatment method should be tailored to the patient and tumor characteristics. Kidney stones after cystectomy can be successfully managed endourological. Robot assisted RC introduced a higher rate of UES, which should be managed by primary revision.

Endoscopic Approaches to Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

A select group of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) may meet indications for endoscopic management. Strategies for disease management are provided, based on a comprehensive review of the data using PubMed and Medline databases and marrying this with our experience with endoscopic management of UTUC. Endoscopic management of UTUC via retrograde or antegrade approaches is a viable treatment option for appropriately selected patients with low-risk UTUC, including those with low-grade, low-volume, and solitary tumors. However, recurrence risk limits these procedures to compliant patients under a vigilant surveillance program. Efficacious adjuvant therapies are needed to reduce local recurrences.

Experience with 45 Consecutive Patients with Neobladders Undergoing Retrograde Ureteroscopy for Upper Tract Abnormalities

Introduction

In this study we reviewed the feasibility, technique, complications and outcomes of retrograde ureteroscopy in patients with orthotopic neobladders.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our retrograde ureteroscopic experience in patients with orthotopic ileal neobladder diversions. Data were collected and analyzed regarding patient characteristics, indications, technique, success and complications of the procedure.

Results

Between 1995 and 2013, 45 patients with neobladders underwent 77 retrograde ureteroscopy sessions on 97 renal units for filling defects (47 cases), urothelial thickening (9), calculi (4), positive cytology (27) and/or positive fluorescence in situ hybridization (15) on followup. The ureter and renal pelvis were successfully instrumented in 78 of 97 units (80.4%), with 85.3% success in Hautmann-type neobladders (75 renal units attempted), 50% in Studer-type neobladders (8 renal units attempted) and 71.4% in unascertained-type neobladders (14 renal units attempted). Causes of failure involved the inability to locate the ureteral orifice (8 cases), to cannulate the orifice (6 cases) or to advance the ureteroscope due to tortuosity (5 cases). Among the successful attempts with appropriately documented findings 35.9% of cases with filling defects (39) were confirmed malignant and 61.5% were confirmed benign by ureteroscopy. All cases with a positive cytology (23) and 85.7% of cases with positive fluorescence in situ hybridization (14) were confirmed malignant by retrograde ureteroscopy, and 2 of the 4 cases of calculi were successfully managed retrogradely.

Conclusions

Retrograde ureteroscopic evaluation of upper tract abnormalities is feasible and practical in patients with orthotopic neobladders. Identification and cannulation of the ureteral orifice are challenging, particularly in tortuous situations, but difficulties can be overcome with fluoroscopic techniques. Retrograde ureteroscopy avoids the morbidity of percutaneous access with minimal complications.

Clinical benefits of tubeless umbilical cutaneous ureterostomy

INTRODUCTION

We assess a novel technique of tubeless bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy, with a single umbilical stoma, for bladder cancer patients with short ureters after cystectomy. The benefit of cutaneous ureterostomy is equal to other incontinent urinary diversions, when the tubeless procedure is successfully achieved. This simple technique makes it easy to monitor the upper urinary tract (UUT) and is beneficial to patients with a high risk of UUT recurrence.

METHODS

This old and new surgical technique was used to perform total cystectomy and urinary diversion on three patients with bladder cancer at a high risk of UUT recurrence.

RESULTS

Two men and one woman (mean age: 73 years) underwent this surgery and the mean follow-up period was 8.3 years. The surgical approaches were laparotomy (n = 2) and laparoscopy (n = 1). One case developed para-stomal erosion, whereas another developed ureteral stenosis requiring catheter reinsertion. Although postoperative hydronephrosis was observed in all cases, the mean preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine levels were 0.70 and 0.76, respectively. UUT recurrence was not observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

This tubeless umbilical cutaneous ureterostomy procedure greatly improves the outcome of urinary diversion for cancer patients with short ureters at a high risk of UUT recurrence. The benefits are equivalent to other urinary diversions when the tubeless procedure is successfully achieved.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma: current treatment and outcomes

The reference standard treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma is open radical nephroureterectomy. Many centers have advocated less-invasive treatment modalities. We reviewed contemporary treatments of upper tract urothelial carcinoma and their outcomes. A MEDLINE search was conducted for all relevant published data during the past 15 years. Endoscopic management is feasible for low-grade disease with strict surveillance protocols. Radical nephroureterectomy remains the reference standard for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. The intermediate-term oncologic outcomes are similar between the laparoscopic and open approaches. Controversies still exist regarding the optimal management of the distal ureter, the utility of topical therapy, and the role of lymphadenectomy.