Early surgical correction of massive refluxing megaureter in babies by total ureteral reconstruction and reimplantation

Laparoscopy-Assisted Cutaneous Ureterostomy in Children: Early Experience

OBJECTIVE

Laparoscopy-assisted cutaneous ureterostomy (LA-CU) is a minimally invasive approach for temporary urinary diversion in children. We describe the technique, its feasibility, potential advantages, and outcomes in 12 children treated for a variety of conditions.

METHODS

Three trocars were used transperitoneally, one transumbilical, and another placed at the later stoma site. In the semilateral position, with a panoramic view, the ureter of interest is easily identified, mobilized, and exteriorized for stoma creation. We retrospectively reviewed our experience at two tertiary-care centers and included both refluxing and end ureterostomies. The study period was between October 2014 and February 2017. Renal function and growth curves were noted at follow-up.

RESULTS

Twelve children underwent LA-CU: 3 end and 9 refluxing ureterostomy. Mean age was 18.75 ± 17.60 months. Mean operating time was 94.44 ± 34.86 minutes. Follow-up ranged from 10 to 38 months. No major postoperative complications occurred. Renal function and growth curves improved in the majority of children.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary surgical correction of obstructive or refluxing uropathy is the gold standard; however, temporary urinary diversion is useful in specific scenarios. In these patients, laparoscopic assistance may offer better and direct visualization, achieves accurate and rapid identification of ureter, and provides adequate mobilization, tension-free exteriorization, and excision of redundant ureter in some to optimize drainage. One trocar at the eventual stoma site minimizes scarring.

Use of high-pressure balloon dilatation of the ureterovesical junction instead of ureteral reimplantation to treat primary obstructive megaureter: is it justified?

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes between high-pressure balloon dilatation of the ureterovesical junction (UVJ) and ureteral reimplantation with ureteral tapering to treat primary obstructive megaureter (POM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of clinical data from patients who underwent surgical treatment of POM from 2005 to 2010. Patients were divided into two groups: endoscopic treatment (ET) with UVJ dilatation and ureteral reimplantation (UR) with Cohen's or Leadbetter-Politano neoureterocystostomy and Hendren's tapering. Preoperative studies included ultrasound scan (US), voiding cystourethrography, and diuretic isotopic renogram. Outcome parameters were US, differential renal function (DRF), presence of postoperative vesicoureteral reflux, need for secondary reimplantation and complications.

RESULTS ET

13 patients with a median age of 7 (4-24) months; UR: 12 patients with a median age of 14 (7-84) months, with no statistical differences in age and gender between groups. Preoperative US parameters were similar. ET: mean diameter of renal pelvis, calices and ureter was 23.5 mm, 13.46 mm and 15.77 mm respectively. UR: mean diameter of renal pelvis, calices and ureter was 22.25 mm, 11.75 mm, and 19.08 mm, respectively. Preoperative DRF was 45.62% and 39.33% for ET and UR, respectively (p > 0.05). Significant improvement of hydroureteronephrosis was observed in 11/13 patients of ET and 11/12 patients of UR (p > 0.05). Postoperative DRF was 42% and 48% for ET and UR, respectively (p > 0.05). Postoperative vesicoureteral reflux was observed in 2 patients of ET and 1 of UR (p > 0.05). Secondary ureteral reimplantation was needed in 3 patients of ET and 2 of UR (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic treatment of POM is as effective as ureteral reimplantation but further randomized clinical trials are needed to support these results.

[Primary vesicoureteral reflux treatment in childhood: comparsion of two systematic review]

Many medical practices are being carried out unawares of their efficiency, or of their actual impact on the health of the patients, therefore it is necessary to consider the support of professional recommendations with scientific evidence.

THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review (SR) of the therapeutic management of primary VUR in pediatric urology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review has been performed, including scientific evidence-based medicine criteria, of the articles published in all of the available databases. Inclusion criteria concerning basic quality of the articles were considered essential, as well as exclusion criteria to be able to reject the articles.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Subsequently, and following the critic reading of greater than 320 articles, statistical study of the grouped data was performed according to the type of treatment and to the benefits contributed by each treatment, and also to their undesirable effects. Finally we have made a comparison between our results and recent Cochrane Systematic Review. The following Conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and from the analysis of the texts. Both medical and surgical treatment present with similar effectiveness concerning resolution of grades I, II and III of VUR, and the former one is the recommended initial treatment following diagnosis. Endoscopic treatment is exactly as effective as open surgery for grades I, II and III with fewer undesirable effects secondary. There are no differences concerning the efficacy of the different injected substances. Not enough evidences exist for degrees IV and V that may recommend or advise against any of the treatments. In any degree of VUR, open surgical treatment is superior as far as medical treatment is concerned only regarding the number of acute pyelonephritis episodes during followup. This conclusion cannot be applied on endoscopic treatment.

RESULTS OF TAPERED URETERAL REIMPLANTATION FOR PRIMARY MEGAURETER: EXTRAVESICAL VERSUS INTRAVESICAL APPROACH

PURPOSE

Extravesical ureteroneocystostomy is an accepted technique for the surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. However, many surgeons continue to use an intravesical technique when extensive ureteral tailoring is required in the case of primary megaureter. We present our experience and outcomes with these techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed of all patients who underwent tapered ureteral reimplantation between 1990 and 2002. Patient demographics, surgical technique and outcomes were recorded. Patients with ureteral dilatation secondary to bladder or urethral pathology were excluded from study. A successful postoperative outcome was defined as improved hydronephrosis and no vesicoureteral reflux.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients with 65 megaureters were identified. Mean patient age at surgery was 4.9 years and mean followup was 3.8 years. Primary obstructive megaureter was present in 31 renal units, while refluxing megaureter was present in 34. An excisional tapering technique was performed in all cases. An extravesical reimplantation was performed in 29 renal units and an intravesical reimplantation in 36. The success rate was 86% for intravesical and 76% for extravesical reimplantation. The success rate was 90% for obstructive megaureters and 74% for refluxing megaureters. Success rate for patients with voiding dysfunction was 93% with an intravesical approach but only 50% with an extravesical approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Extensive ureteral tailoring with an extravesical ureteral reimplantation may be performed safely and effectively for primary obstructive megaureter. Patients with voiding dysfunction or preoperative vesicoureteral reflux may benefit from an intravesical ureteral reimplantation.

Long-term results after megaureter folding in children

In 56 megaureters treated by the folding technique, good results were obtained in 52 (93%). Complications in four ureters included stenosis (2) and vesico-ureteral reflux (2). The width of the megaureters and minor renal calyces, the degree of hydronephrosis, and the serum urea and creatinine levels decreased significantly after the operation. The renal parenchyma thickness and the creatinine clearance level increased significantly.

Vascular integrity of the distal ureter following combined tapering and cross trigonal reimplantation

Massive unilateral hydroureteronephrosis was created in 20 female dogs by ligating the urographically normal prevesical ureter. Over a 14-day period the obstructed ureter dilated to an average of 15.3 mm. A ureteral tapering procedure was performed by lateral darting and posterior folding of the resultant flap, followed by a cross-trigonal reimplantation. One anastomotic stricture resulted; in the remaining 19 animals, ureteral peristalsis was restored, the ureteral diameter was reduced 61.9 per cent and hydronephrosis was resolved. Histological studies on the tapered segments of these 19 animals showed that the subadventitial blood supply was preserved with fibrotic occlusion of the folded flaps. These results demonstrate that no significant vascular compromise after ureteral tapering and cross-trigonal reimplantation occurs. Success rates comparable to those of conventional ureteral tailoring can be achieved by this technically simplified form of reconstructive surgery.