ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Segmental ureterectomy (SU) has been proven effective in cases of distal upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Nonetheless, SU has been performed infrequently in the real world, and there is no consensus on the preferred surgical technique in laparoscopic surgery. We describe our first experience of laparoscopic segmental ureterectomy (LSU) with psoas hitch ureteral reimplantation. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: LSU starts using a fan-shaped, five-port, transperitoneal approach. First, the cancerous ureter segment is clipped to avoid tumor seeding, and then the diseased segment is dissected. Second, the psoas hitch is performed by fixing the external part of the ipsilateral dome of the bladder to the psoas muscle and its tendon. Third, at the top of the bladder, an incision is made in the muscle layer and mucosa. The ureter is then spatulated. A guide wire is used to place a retrograde ureteral double J stent. Finally, the anastomosis of the bladder and ureter mucosa is performed by interrupted suturing of both ends, followed by continuous suturing, and the muscular layer of the bladder is closed in a double layer. We performed LSU for distal UTUC in 10 patients. There was no decrease in renal function before or after surgery. During follow-up, three patients experienced a recurrence of urothelial carcinoma in the bladder and one patient had a local recurrence. DISCUSSION: LSU is a safe and feasible procedure in our experience, and it can be recommended for selected cases of distal UTUC with optimal perioperative, renal functional, and oncologic outcomes.
