Ureteroscopic manipulations in bilharzial ureter: difficulties and precautions

ABSTRACT

Ninty two bilharzial patients were subjected to different ureteroscopic manipulations for primary ureteric stones [5 7 patients], ureteric stricture with secondary stones [13 patients] and ureteric stricture [22 patients]. Difficulties of the technique included failure to identify the ureteric orifice, shredding and cracking of the mucosa during dilatation, upward migration of stones in dilated ureters, restricturing after dilation and vesico-ureteral reflux. Different precautions had been used to avoid these difficulties. He concluded that although bilharzial affection of the ureter is not a contra-indication for ureteroscopy yet it imposes certain difficulties upon the procedure and must be cautiously handled