Long-term efficacy of holmium laser endoureterotomy for benign ureteral strictures

ObjectivesTo determine the long-term clinical and radiographic success of holmium laser endoureterotomy for nonobliterative benign ureteral strictures.MethodsA total of 19 patients (12 women and 7 men, mean age 47.5 years) underwent holmium laser endoureterotomy for iatrogenic ureteral strictures (seven proximal, seven mid, and five distal) using semirigid ureteroscopy and a 360-μm fiber at 1 J and 10 Hz.ResultsSuccess was strictly defined as both relief of symptoms and radiographic resolution of obstruction by intravenous pyelography or diuretic renography, or both. With a median follow-up of 3.0 years, success was achieved in 13 (68.4%) of 19 patients.ConclusionsOur results have shown that holmium laser endoureterotomy is associated with a long-term success rate equivalent to, or better than, other currently available minimally invasive treatment options. Also, failure was uniformly evident within the first 3 months after treatment.