Objective: To explore the feasibility of transurethral resection for the distal ureter and bladder cuff in radical nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC).
Methods: A total of 76 patients with renal pelvic carcinoma or upper tract urothelial carcinoma during July 2003 to December 2011 were retrospective analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups according to doctor’s suggestion and their wishes. Thirty-six patients of them received excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff by transurethral Holmium laser (cystoscopy group) combined with open nephroureterectomy, and 40 patients of them underwent open surgery (open surgery group).The operation time, postoperative activity time, and postoperative hospital stay in the two groups were compared.
Results: All operations were completed successfully in both groups. Compared with Open Surgery Group, the operation time [(177.2±36.9) vs. (229.6±28.1) min, t=−7.004, P=0.000], postoperative activity time [(2.7±0.7) vs. (4.1±1.0) d, t=−6.802, P=0.000] and hospital stay [(6.9±1.0) vs. (8.6±1.5) d, t=−5.448, P=0.000] of cystoscopy group were shorter. No recurrence or metastasis was observed from a follow-up of 6–120 months (median=32 months) in the two groups.
Conclusions: Transurethral surgery is superior to traditional open surgery in trauma degree and postoperative recovery time. Transurethral Holmium laser resection of the distal ureter and bladder cuff is a minimally invasive and safety technique in the nephroureterectomy for the treatment of UTUC.
