Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children with posterior urethral valves

Split-cuff nipple technique of ureteral reimplantation in children with thick-walled bladders due to posterior urethral valves

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel technique of ureteral reimplantation in patients with thick-walled bladders, which addresses the technical challenges and high failure rates seen in this population.

METHODS

From 1997 to 2012, 45 megaureters were reimplanted in 26 children aged 2-11 years. Key surgical modifications included ureteral trough creation within the detrusor, formation of a distal ureteral split-cuff nipple, reliance on transureteroureterostomy (TUU) when the bladder would not support the reimplantation of 2 ureters, performance of psoas vesicopexy, and judicious utilization of ureteral stump augmentation in patients undergoing TUU. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 years.

RESULTS

Seven patients underwent unilateral and 4 underwent bilateral ureteral reimplantation; TUU was performed in 15. Psoas vesicopexy was performed in 22 patients. Voiding cystourethrography showed no reflux in all children who underwent vesicopexy. Reflux resolved in 6 of 8 bilaterally reimplanted ureters; 2 of 8 had improved reflux that later resolved with Deflux injection. No ureters obstructed. Hydronephrosis improved in 32 of 45 renal units and remained stable in 13. Seven patients continue to develop bacteriuria. Five have developed renal failure.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, a long ureteral trough combined with a split-cuff nipple technique for reimplanting megaureters into thick-walled bladders yields improved results over conventional submucosal tunneling, effectively eliminating or improving reflux and preventing obstruction. TUU and psoas vesicopexy proved useful adjuncts in creating adequate intravesical trough length. The risk for continued bacteriuria and renal failure due to limited renal reserve, however, remain notable in this group.

Sacrum index in children suffering from different grades of vesicoureteral reflux

This study aimed at evaluating the sacrum index in children suffering from different grades of vesicoureteral reflux. In this case-control study, according to VCUG results, children with grade III, IV and V refluxes entered the study. There were 76 children with history of urinary canal infection and normal VCUG. Sacrum index was measured in both groups and compared. There was a meaningful relationship between these two groups considering abnormality rate of the index (p = 0.001). The factor can be used as a predictive factor in determining prognosis of medical treatment and selecting those children candidate to surgery.