Percutaneous nephrostomy for endopyelotomy.

Percutaneous full-thickness incision and stenting of the ureteropelvic junction (endopyelotomy) relieved obstruction in 33 (87%) of 38 patients treated over a 2-year period. Proper placement of the percutaneous nephrostomy tract through a posterior middle calyx and of a guidewire across the ureteropelvic junction is necessary in order to gain access to the narrowed area with a rigid cutting instrument. Except in patients with long lesions, high insertion of the ureter, or an enormously redundant renal pelvis, endopyelotomy gives excellent results with less morbidity and a shorter recovery time than open pyeloplasty.