Urinary fistula after treatment for cancer poses a dilemma for your physicians, especially in patients who have had various other treatments. Patients with urinary leakage can be treated conservatively with percutaneous transrenal balloon catheters.
If a patient has persistent urinary leakage despite treatments and catheter drainage, then further procedures may be suggested by your physician, such as placement of small Foley balloon and angioplasty catheters. These devices are inserted under the skin and into the affected areas.
Long-term ureteral occlusion with percutaneous transrenal balloon catheters appears to be safe. Using this approach, urinary fistulas can heal in some patients without the need for open surgery.