The Role of Laparoscopy-assisted Renal Autotransplantation in the Treatment of Primary Ureteral Tumor

To evaluate the effect and safety of laparoscopy-assisted renal autotransplantation treatment for primary ureteral cancer (PUC).

Medical records of patients undergoing hand-assisted retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy–extracorporeal total ureterectomy–renal autotransplantation–pyelocystostomy (Lap AutoTx) were analyzed. Demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were assessed.

Fifteen patients diagnosed with PUC underwent this novel approach. Three kidneys were abandoned owing to the detection of residual cancer on the renal pelvic junction, surgeon’s judgment on three severe atherosclerotic arteries, and palpable pelvic lymph nodes proven to be evidence of metastatic disease by frozen section analysis. Twelve patients (mean ± SD age 67.5 ± 7.5 years) were treated with Lap AutoTx for PUC successfully. No perioperative mortality occurred. One patient with solitary kidney experienced delayed graft function that required short-term hemodialysis. Three recurrent superficial diseases in three patients were treated with transurethral resection. The mean ± SD follow-up duration was 12.1 ± 6.7 months (range 3–24 months). The renal pelvicaliceal system was easily examined by flexible cystoscopy.

Lap AutoTx is less invasive compared with the traditional two-incisional manner and can be performed safely even among elderly patients. Compared with other currently used therapies, this novel treatment can be used to successfully treat PUC with the added advantages of total resection of the ureteral lesion, preservation of the renal function, and simplification of follow-up procedures.