Management of ureteral strictures in renal transplants by antegrade balloon dilatation and temporary internal stenting

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous balloon dilatation and temporary internal stenting in the treatment of transplant ureteral strictures. Methods: Nine patients presenting with obstructed renal transplants were treated by antegrade nephrostomy insertion, ureteroplasty, and temporary internal stenting. Following stent removal, patients were divided into two groups for analysis according to whether the obstruction occurred less than (group A) or more than (group B) 3 months following transplantation. Results: All procedures were technically successful. In group A (n = 6), all patients were successfully treated by one or two dilatations with stenting. In group B (n = 3), two patients were successfully treated by one dilatation with stenting. Overall, eight patients (89%) have had their primary or secondary stent removed successfully at a mean interval of 97.5 days after insertion, and remain well art a mean follow-up interval of 22 months. Conclusion: Balloon dilatation and temporary internal stenting is a useful method for treating transplant ureteral strictures.