Transvaginal Excision of Bilateral Single Ureteral Stumps of Refluxing Ectopic Ureters in an Adult Female With Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

To report a novel surgical technique of transvaginal excision of bilateral refluxing single ureteral stumps in an adult female, with emphasis on the technique, the difficulties of the procedure, and other surgical consideration such as bladder neck reconstruction and use of pubovaginal sling in patients with these congenital anomalies. The procedure starts with cystoscopy for identification and catheterization of the orifices of remnant ectopic ureters. This is important to facilitate close dissection of ureteral stumps without the risk of vascular and visceral injury. A wide inverted U incision is made in the anterior vaginal wall to complete the dissection and excision for the remnants of ectopic ureters followed by water-tight closure for each ureterourethral junction. The procedure is completed with bladder neck reconstruction and pubovaginal sling with autologous rectus fascia. The operative time was 3 hours, estimated blood loss was 50 mL, and hospital stay was 1 day. There were no intraoperative complications, and the patient went home on catheter drainage for 10 days with prophylactic antibiotics and anticholinergic medications. One-year follow-up showed her global satisfaction of 80%, and she uses one small pad per day as needed. She reported no more recurrent urinary tract infections, no difficulty of voiding, and no pain. Transvaginal approach for excision of bilateral infravesical remnant of ectopic ureters in an adult female is feasible. Successful surgical outcomes require bladder neck reconstruction and use of autologous rectus fascia in patient with bilateral single-system ectopic ureters, as the sphincteric mechanism of the bladder neck is absent.