A new technique for complete temporary occlusion of the ureter

As treatments for gynecologic and other pelvic malignancies improve, patients are living longer. As a result, patients with advanced disease associated with urine leakage from a fistulous tract to adjacent organs or the skin are encountered more frequently. Nephrostomy or simple percutaneous placement of externally draining ureteral stents sometimes does not completely eliminate the problem because ureteric peristalsis and low resistances ensure a persistent leakage of urine through the fistulous tract. We have devised a simple technique to occlude the ureter temporarily and allow healing of the fistulous tract by using large standard latex catheters with multiple proximal side holes and an occluding tip.