A novel open surgical approach to transvesical distal ureterectomy in nephroureterectomy.

A single-incision transvesical approach to open distal ureterectomy is described herein. The surgical technique has been applied successfully to 6 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy with open distal ureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. The technique presented allows easy and effective excision of the ipsilateral distal ureter, ureteral orifice, and bladder cuff as well as closure of the single cystotomy. Further studies with long-term follow-up data are necessary to confirm the satisfactory preliminary clinical experience presented in this report.