Purpose: We determined the postoperative risk of nonneoplastic ureteroileal implantation stenosis using the Le Duc-Camey technique, and assessed the extent to which followup is mandatory.
Materials and methods: Between October 1980 and October 1989, after a cystoprostatectomy, 158 consecutive men underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction by means of a U-shaped orthotopic ileal neobladder. Of these cases 109 were tubularized and 49 were detubularized. The 313 ureteral implantations were performed according to the Le Duc-Camey mucosal-through technique. Followup studies in all patients consisted of excretory urography or renal sonography carried out before discharge home, at least every 6 months during the first year after surgery and once a year thereafter. Followup was more than 2 years for 123 patients. The study was conducted retrospectively.
Results: The rate of anastomotic stenosis was 4.9% among 123 patients who were followed a minimum of 2 years. No obstructions were detected after 2 years. The rates of ureteral reimplantation and nephrectomy for chronic kidney obstruction were 3.7% and 2%, respectively. All strictures were located at the anastomosed site, and retrograde catheterization was uncertain. Surgical reimplantation through an elective extraperitoneal approach was easy to perform and effective.
Conclusions: The anastomotic stenosis rate after Le Duc-Camey ureteroileal implantation in orthotopic U-shaped neobladder was 4.9%. During the first year after surgery, the difference between true stenosis and temporary edema was not easy to assess. The U-shaped neobladder allows for the implantation of a minimally dissected iliac ureter, which could be a factor in minimizing the risk of obstruction.