Laparoscopic onlay lingual mucosal graft ureteroplasty combined with ureterovesical reimplantation for one-stage reconstruction of complex ureteral strictures: a case report

The treatment of ureteral stricture is a challenging task, especially when multiple strictures are present. Here, we report on a 63-year-old male patient diagnosed with hydronephrosis with left ureteral strictures who was admitted to our hospital. During treatment, a left percutaneous nephrostomy tube was inserted for hydronephrosis. Antegrade and retrograde pyelography were performed simultaneously. The results suggested there were 3 segment ureteral strictures in the left ureter: 2 located in the distal ureter and 1 in the proximal ureter. The treatment choices for multiple ureteral strictures are kidney autotransplantation or an ileal ureteral replacement (IUR), which are both morbid procedures and are technically challenging. With the excellent results of lingual mucosal graft (LMG) in ureteroplasty, this patient underwent a one-stage left ureter reconstruction with combined laparoscopic LMG ureteroplasty and ureterovesical reimplantation. However, disease of the oral mucosa and a reduced bladder volume caused by radio cystitis or chemical cystitis, may limit the use of this technique. Regular postoperative antegrade pyelography and the Whitaker test showed the unimpeded drainage of the left ureter. Based on the satisfactory outcome of this patient, combined laparoscopic LMG ureteroplasty and ureterovesical reimplantation for unilateral multiple ureteral strictures is a viable option that has fewer complications.