IS ENDOSCOPIC DECOMPRESSION OF THE NEONATAL EXTRAVESICAL UPPER POLE URETEROCELE NECESSARY FOR PREVENTION OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS OR BLADDER NECK OBSTRUCTION?:

Recent trends of genitourinary endoscopy in children

Downsizing and refinement of the pediatric endoscope in video-monitoring systems have facilitated genitourinary endoscopy even in small children without any traumatic instrumentation. Indications for endoscopy in children with hematuria or tractable urinary tract infection have been tailored for the rareness of genitourinary malignancy or secondary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) as a result of infravesical obstruction. Most mechanical outlet obstructions can be relieved endoscopically irrespective of sex and age. Endoscopic decompression by puncture or incision of both intravesical and ectopic ureteroceles can be an initial treatment similar to open surgery for an affected upper moiety. Endoscopy is necessary following urodynamic study to exclude minor infravesical obstruction only in children with unexplained dysfunctional voiding. Genitourinary endoscopy is helpful for structural abnormalities before and at the time of repairing congenital urogenital anomalies. Endoscopic injection therapy of VUR has been established as a less invasive surgical treatment. Pediatric endoscopy will play a greater role in the armamentarium for most pediatric urological diseases through the analysis of visual data and discussion on the indications for endoscopy throughout the world.

Transurethral incision of duplex system ureteroceles in neonates: does it increase the need for secondary surgery in intravesical and ectopic cases?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relevance of ureterocele ectopia and associated reflux on the outcome of duplex system ureteroceles (DSU) after neonatal transurethral incision (TUI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 41 neonates with a diagnosis of DSU; the ureterocele was ectopic in 24 (58%). Before TUI, vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) was present in 13 lower moieties (32%) and seven contralateral ureters (17%). TUI was always performed within the first month of life. The follow-up and management were tailored for each patient from the findings at ultrasonography, voiding cysto-urethrography and renal scintigraphy. Results of intravesical and ectopic DSU were compared using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

TUI was effective in allowing ureteric decompression in all but one patient (2.4%). After TUI, VUR ceased in six lower ipsilateral moieties and in two contralateral ureters, while new VUR occurred in three contralateral kidneys. De novo VUR in the punctured moiety appeared in 13 cases (32%). Nine upper poles were not functioning. Twenty-one patients (51%) required secondary surgery. Ureteric reimplantation was indicated exclusively for reflux in the punctured moiety in only in two cases (5%), while in a further two iatrogenic reflux in a nonfunctioning upper moiety required total heminephro-ureterectomy. There was no significant difference between intravesical and ectopic ureteroceles in the occurrence of VUR in the punctured moiety, rate of nonfunctioning upper poles or need for secondary surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

About half of the patients with a DSU need secondary surgery, but this is rarely indicated for de novo reflux in the punctured moiety only. The need for secondary surgery was greater whenever there was associated reflux before endoscopic incision. There was no difference in the outcome of intravesical and ectopic ureteroceles and such distinction seems no longer to be of clinical relevance.