Experience with balloon dilations of benign ureteroneocystoanastomotic strictures in patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy

Background. Russia annually notifies 12,700 new bladder cancer (BC) cases; one third of them have invasive forms.
Objective: to assess the first results of using balloon procedures to treat ureteroneocystoanastomotic strictures in patients with BC after cystectomies.
Subjects and methods. In 2006 to 2013, the Russian Research Center for Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, treated 746 patients, including 69 (9.2 %) patients who were treated by cystectomy for BC. All the 69 patients were preoperatively diagnosed as having locally advanced BC. Urothelial carcinoma was detected in 66 of the 69 patients; 3 patients had squamous cell carcinoma. BC was concurrent with other tumors in 7 patients.
Early postoperative complications were noted in 49 (71 %) patients; late postoperative ones were seen in 14 (20.3 %). Ureteroneocystoanastomotic strictures were found in 6 patients; they were all treated using balloon dilation of an ureteroneocystoanastomotic area.
Results. Balloon dilation of ureteroneocystoanastomotic strictures was successful in all the 6 patients. The postoperative period was uncomplicated in all the cases. The strictures were removed in all the cases; no hydronephrosis progression was observed during 6–36-month followup periods.
Conclusion. As the results of balloon dilation carried out in a larger number of patients accumulate, this may be recommended as a minimally invasive treatment option for ureteroneocystoanastomotic strictures in BC patients after cystectomy.