This study was undertaken to assess the ureteral peristaltic response to surgery in 30 patients with nephrolithiasis and 70 with ureterolithiasis by means of electromyography.
The ureteral action potential recordings were performed before lithotomy and at varying postoperative days. The results of these recordings were compared with those of clinical and laboratory assessments preoperatively and postoperatively.
1. Results before and during surgery
1) Nephrolithiasis.
Prolongation of the intervals of action potentials was seen in 57.1% and antiperistalsis in 21.5% preoperatively. No significant changes were seen in the amplitude, duration and conduction velocity of the action potentials. Although the presence of stone and hydronephrosis gave adverse effect of the ureteral function, the occurrence of these abnormal discharges was not related to the size of the stone but to the severity of hydronephrosis.
The occurrence of abnormal discharge was more frequent in the group with fistula than in that without fistula.
2) Ureterolithiasis.
Prolongation of the discharge intervals was observed in 20% in the ureteral segment above the site of stone and 41.7% in that below. Antiperistalsis was seen in 10% in the segment above the site of stone and in 12.5% in that below. No significant changes were seen in the amplitude, duration and conduction velocity of the action potentials. The occurrence of these abnormal discharges was not related to the size of the stone.
Comparison was made of the potential recordings in each ureteral segment, i. e., the upper, middle and lower segments according to the location of stone. Prolongation of the discharge intervals was frequently seen in the upper segment below the site of stone. On the contrary, antiperistalsis occurred less frequently in the upper ureteral segment below the site of stone.
Disappearance of the action potentials frequently occurred in the cases of severe hydronephrosis. Even in the cases of severe hydronephrosis with action potentials, abnormal discharge frequently occurred in the segment below the site of stone. The ureteral obstruction could be partly responsible for the occurrence of abnormal discharge.
Prolongation of the discharge intervals was more frequently seen in the ureteral segments both above and below the site of stone in the group with fistula than in that without fistula. It appears likely that the formation of urinary fistula after surgery depends on the preoperative ureteral function.
2. Results after surgery
1) Abnormal discharge in the postoperative urinary fistula formation.
a) Lithotomy for nephrolithiasis:
Abnormal discharge was more frequently seen in the fistula group than in the no-fistula group in the postoperative period of one to 7 days. There was no difference in rate of the occurrence of abnormal discharge between the healing fistula group and the no-fistula group in the postoperative period of 8 to 15 days.
b) Lithotomy for ureterolithiasis:
As compared with the one to 7 days postoperative group without fistula, the fistula group had prolongation of the discharge intervals less frequently in the segment above the site of stone and a lesser number of peristalsis passing through the surgical site to the lower segment. Prolongation of the discharge interavals was less frequently seen in the healing fistula group than in the 8 to 15 days postoperative group without fistula. The healing fistula group less frequently showed prolongation of the discharge intervals and a lesser number of peristalsis passing through the surgical site as compared with the 8 to 15 days postoperative group without fistula. These findings suggest that the healing of urinary fistula takes place concurrently as the ureteral segment below the operated site restores its function.
2) Abnormal discharge in the postoperative hydronephrosis.
a) Lithotomy for nephrolithiasis:
Abnormal discharge was more frequently seen in the presen
View full abstract