Purpose: Although minimally invasive approach is one of the first-line treatment choices for ureteral strictures, there are still controversies on the ideal method to treat this entity. The objective of this update was to define the level of evidence around endoscopic treatment of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) and ureteral strictures.
Methods: We reviewed the current available literature on the PubMed database from the last decade up to May 2014 on laser endoureterotomy and endopyelotomy.
Results: The level of evidence for the endoscopic treatment of UPJ and ureteral strictures is low. Despite this, it appears that endoureterotomy and endopyelotomy performed mainly with Ho:YAG laser achieve good success rates with minimal perioperative morbidity.
Conclusions: Laser endoureterotomy and endopyelotomy should be considered a reasonable treatment option in selected patients.