Handling 405 cases of ureteric obstruction

ABSTRACT

This is a retrospective study of 405 cases of adult patients with ureteric obstruction. The aim of the study was to categorize these cases according to the cause of obstruction and its treatment. The medical records of patients with ureteric obstruction were reviewed with regard to the causes of obstruction and how it was treated from January 1995 until June 1995. The causes of obstruction were ureteric stones in 381 cases, a large proportion of the cases [319 patients] were treated by Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy [ESWL]. In 12 cases the cause of obstruction was pelvic tumors, and they were treated by stenting. In 6 other cases ureteric stricture was the cause. In 3 cases the cause of obstruction was retroperitoneal fibrosis, 2 of these cases responded to steroid therapy with stenting.post pelvic surgery, and accidental ureteric ligation caused the obstruction in 3 other cases. Conclusions: Calculus disease is still the most common cause of ureteric obstruction. Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy [ESWL] has been performed successfully in 83% of cases without adjunct modalities. External drainage by percutaneous nephrostomy [PCN] is undoubtedly the most effective form of treating renal obstruction in emergencies