Laparoscopic ureterolysis for idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Ureterolysis and subsequent intraperitonealization were performed laparoscopically in 2 patients with unilateral idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. The operative procedure was easily accomplished, and the outcome was excellent in the patient who had a ureteral stricture of 2 cm in length, whereas the operation was technically more complicated with a prolonged operation time in the other patient who had a stricture more than 5 cm in length. The convalescence period after the operation was short in both cases. Laparoscopic ureterolysis is a less invasive alternative to conventional open surgery, particularly in patients with involvement of a unilateral ureter of short length.