Variation in surgical management of vesicoureteral reflux: influence of hospital and patient factors

The Effectiveness of Deflux® Treatment for Vesicoureteral Reflux Following Pediatric Renal Transplantation: A Single-Institution Challenging Experience

PURPOSE

To validate the effectiveness of Deflux® treatment for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) following pediatric renal transplantation (RT), based on our single-institution experience.

METHOD

A retrospective study was conducted using the medical records of pediatric patients who underwent Deflux® treatment for VUR after RT from April 2008 to March 2022.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight pediatric patients underwent RT. VUR was subsequently detected in 22 (32 %) of these patients. Seven of the 22 patients (32 %) underwent Deflux® treatment to avoid renal dysfunction due to urinary infection (UTI). The median age at the time of RT was 4 years (range:2-12). All 7 patients had urinary UTIs before Deflux® treatment. The median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before Deflux® treatment was 67 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range:42-138 ml/min/1.73 m2). After Deflux® treatment, VUR was downgraded in three cases (43 %). Four patients (57 %) experienced postoperative UTI, two of who underwent a second Deflux® treatment, one underwent submuscular tunnel reconstruction, and the other one experienced UTI without VUR after 1st Deflux® treatment but did not reoccur. All seven patients continued prophylactic medication after Deflux® treatment, without any history of recurrent UTIs during the observation period after treatment (median 37 months [range 7-86 months]). Furthermore, the eGFRs did not significantly decrease after Deflux® treatment (median eGFR 58 ml/min/1.73 m2 [range:33-99 ml/min/1.73 m2], p > 0.1).

CONCLUSION

Deflux® treatment for VUR after RT is technically challenging because the new ureteral orifice is ventrally anastomosed at the bladder. We believe our results indicate the possibility of reducing the frequency of UTIs and contributing to preservation of the renal function after RT.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective Study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Parental preferences for vesicoureteral reflux treatment: Profile case best-worst scaling

INTRODUCTION

Vesicoureteral reflux is a common pediatric urologic condition that often has several reasonable treatment options depending on condition severity. In order to choose the best treatment for their child, parents are expected to make judgements that weigh attributes such as treatment cost, effectiveness, and complication rate. Prior research has shown that factors such as treating hospital and surgeon also influence patient treatment choice.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluates parental preferences for reflux treatment using profile case best-worst scaling, an emerging technique in both urologic and health care preference estimation. The study also uses latent class analysis (LCA) to identify parental sub-classes with different preferences.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were collected from a community sample of parents via a multimedia best-worst scaling survey instrument published to Amazon's Mechanical Turk online community. After extensive review of the literature, reflux attributes and attribute levels were selected to correspond with available treatments. The profile case best-worst scaling exercise elicited preferences for granular attributes of reflux treatments. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression and class analysis to distinguish preference heterogeneity. Probability scaled values (PSVs) reflected the order of desirability of the attributes. Attribute preference importance was rescaled into dollar units for comparison as well.

RESULTS

We analyzed data for 248 respondents. The highest treatment effectiveness was more desirable than all other leveled treatment attributes (PSV 17.8, all p < 0.01) (Table). Low complication rate and doctor recommendation were amongst the other most desirable treatment attributes (PSV 11.3 and 9.0, respectively). Latent class analysis identified a class with more extreme preferences, for whom doctor recommendation and avoiding hospitalization were particularly desirable.

DISCUSSION

In this community-based sample, high treatment effectiveness and low complication rate were the most desirable treatment attributes to parents, though parents likely have heterogenous treatment preference structures. Shared parent-physician decision-making that incorporates parental preferences will likely allow more effective, targeted decision-making in the future.

Variation in ureteric re-implantation for Australian children

BACKGROUND

Management options for vesicoureteric reflux are numerous, increasingly diversifying and debated. There is longstanding anecdotal opinion of inexplicable regional variation in vesicoureteric reflux management in Australia. This study investigates temporal trends in ureteric re-implantation for children, and variation between states and territories.

METHODS

Ureteric re-implantation data for children aged 0-14 years were retrieved from the Medicare Benefits Scheme item reports database for the 20-year period from 1998-2017. Claims data were population adjusted for each state then standardized for age using Australian Bureau of Statistics records. National and regional trends were calculated using joinpoint regression. Comparison between eastern (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory) and western or central (Western Australia, South Australia) states was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test.

RESULTS

There were 4919 procedure rebate claims during the study period. A national decrease in claim rates of 6.3% per 100 000 children was identified (P < 0.001). This was derived from significant decreases observed in eastern states. There was a threefold higher claim rate in Western Australia and South Australia per annum compared to the remainder of the country (4.0 versus 12.6 per 100 000; P < 0.001). For the most recent 5 years of the study period, this difference increased to a sevenfold higher rate (1.6 versus 11.1; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

There has been a dramatic nationwide decline in the rate of ureteric re-implantation procedure claims. Regional disparity between each side of the country is widening. Further research is required to determine if this degree of variation is warranted or unwarranted. The observed regional variation facilitates opportunity for a nationwide pragmatic clinical trial.

Parental Preferences for Vesicoureteral Reflux Treatment: A Crowd-sourced, Best-worst Scaling Study

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively evaluate parental preferences for the various treatments for vesicoureteral reflux using crowd-sourced best-worst scaling, a novel technique in urologic preference estimation.

METHODS

Preference data were collected from a community sample of parents via 2 best-worst scaling survey instruments published to Amazon's Mechanical Turk online community. Attributes and attribute levels were selected following extensive review of the reflux literature. Respondents completed an object case best-worst scaling exercise to prioritize general aspects of reflux treatments and multiprofile case best-worst scaling to elicit their preferences for the specific differences in reflux treatments. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Results from the object-case provided probability scaled values (PSV) that reflected the order of importance of attributes.

RESULTS

We analyzed data for 248 and 228 respondents for object and multiprofile case BWS, respectively. When prioritizing general aspects of reflux treatment, effectiveness (PSV = 20.37), risk of future urinary tract infection (PSV = 14.85), and complication rate (PSV = 14.55) were most important to parents. Societal cost (PSV = 1.41), length of hospitalization (PSV = 1.09), and cosmesis (PSV = 0.91) were least important. Parents perceived no difference in preference for the cosmetic outcome of open vs minimally invasive surgery (P = .791). Bundling attribute preference weights, parents in our study would choose open surgery 74.9% of the time.

CONCLUSION

High treatment effectiveness was the most important and preferred attribute to parents. Alternatively, cost and cosmesis were among the least important. Our findings serve to inform shared parent-physician decision-making for vesicoureteral reflux.

Why Does Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection not Result in Less Renal Scarring? A Deeper Dive into the RIVUR Trial

PURPOSE

The RIVUR (Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux) trial reported that antibiotic prophylaxis reduced recurrent urinary tract infection but antibiotic prophylaxis was not associated with decreased new renal scarring. However, the original reports did not assess the relationship among recurrent urinary tract infection, new renal scarring and antibiotic prophylaxis in detail. Therefore, we investigated the relationship among these issues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included subjects with dimercaptosuccinic acid scan within 6 months of enrollment and at least 1 followup dimercaptosuccinic acid scan from the RIVUR trial. The primary outcome was recurrent urinary tract infection associated new renal scarring, defined as recurrent urinary tract infection and new changes on dimercaptosuccinic acid scan. Due to a low number of events, propensity score was used to adjust for confounders. Multivariate logistic regression was fitted to investigate the associations between the covariates and the outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 489 patients (91% female, mean age 20.3 months) were included in the study. Any new renal scarring was more common among those with recurrent urinary tract infection (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.0-8.5, p <0.01) after adjusting for age, sex, index urinary tract infection, duplication, bowel bladder dysfunction and antibiotic prophylaxis. Recurrent urinary tract infection associated new renal scarring occurred in 5 of 244 (2%) patients on antibiotic prophylaxis and 13 of 245 (5%) on placebo. Compared to antibiotic prophylaxis, placebo was associated with a higher risk of recurrent urinary tract infection associated new renal scarring (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.0-8.8, p=0.04) after adjusting for age, sex, race, index urinary tract infection, bowel bladder dysfunction, duplication, hydronephrosis, vesicoureteral reflux grade and baseline renal scarring. There were no differences in scar severity at final dimercaptosuccinic acid scan (p=0.88) or change from baseline (p=0.53) between antibiotic prophylaxis and placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent urinary tract infection was associated with new renal scarring in the RIVUR trial. When limited to recurrent urinary tract infection associated new renal scarring, antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with a decreased risk of this outcome. It remains unclear why new renal scarring developed in a proportion of subjects without recurrent urinary tract infection. The results should be carefully interpreted due to the inherent limitations.

Bladder Reconstruction Rates Differ among Centers Participating in National Spina Bifida Patient Registry

PURPOSE

We performed an exploratory analysis of data from the NSBPR (National Spina Bifida Patient Registry) to assess variation in the frequency of bladder reconstruction surgeries among NSBPR centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried the 2009-2014 NSBPR to identify patients who had ever undergone bladder reconstruction surgeries. We evaluated demographic characteristics, spina bifida type, functional level, mobility and NSBPR center to determine whether any of these factors were associated with reconstructive surgery rates. Multivariable logistic regression was used to simultaneously adjust for the impact of these factors.

RESULTS

We identified 5,528 patients with spina bifida enrolled in the NSBPR. Of these patients 1,129 (20.4%) underwent bladder reconstruction (703 augmentation, 382 continent catheterizable channel, 189 bladder outlet procedure). Surgical patients were more likely older, female, nonHispanic white, with a higher lesion level, myelomeningocele diagnosis, nonambulators (all p <0.001) and nonprivately insured (p=0.018). Bladder reconstruction surgery rates varied among NSBPR centers (range 12.1% to 37.9%, p <0.001). After correcting for known confounders NSBPR center, spina bifida type, mobility, gender and age (all p <0.001) were significant predictors of surgical intervention. Race (p=0.19) and insurance status (p=0.11) were not associated with surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant variation in rates of bladder reconstruction surgery among NSBPR centers. In addition to clinical factors such as mobility status, lesion type and lesion level, nonclinical factors such as patient age, gender and treating center are also associated with the likelihood of an individual undergoing bladder reconstruction.

Variation in surgical management of neurogenic bowel among centers participating in National Spina Bifida Patient Registry

PURPOSE

Optimal management of neurogenic bowel in patients with spina bifida (SB) remains controversial. Surgical interventions may be utilized to treat constipation and provide fecal continence, but their use may vary among SB treatment centers.

METHODS

We queried the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry (NSBPR) to identify patients who underwent surgical interventions for neurogenic bowel. We abstracted demographic characteristics, SB type, functional level, concurrent bladder surgery, mobility, and NSBPR clinics to determine whether any of these factors were associated with interventions for management of neurogenic bowel. Multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for selection bias was performed.

RESULTS

We identified 5,528 patients with SB enrolled in the 2009-14 NSBPR. Of these, 1,088 (19.7%) underwent procedures for neurogenic bowel, including 957 (17.3%) ACE/cecostomy tube and 155 (2.8%) ileostomy/colostomy patients. Procedures were more likely in patients who were older, white, non-ambulatory, with higher-level lesion, with myelomeningocele lesion, with private health insurance (all p< 0.001), and female (p= 0.006). On multivariable analysis, NSBPR clinic, older age (both p< 0.001), race (p= 0.002), mobility status (p= 0.011), higher lesion level (p< 0.001), private insurance (p= 0.002) and female sex (p= 0.015) were associated with increased odds of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant variation in rates of procedures to manage neurogenic bowel among NSBPR clinics. In addition to SB-related factors such as mobility status and lesion type/level, non-SB-related factors such as patient age, sex, race and treating center are also associated with the likelihood of undergoing neurogenic bowel intervention.

Readmissions, unplanned emergency room visits, and surgical retreatment rates after anti-reflux procedures

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

The choice between endoscopic injection (EI) and ureteroneocystotomy (UNC) for surgical correction of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To compare postoperative outcomes of EI vs UNC.

STUDY DESIGN

This study reviewed linked inpatient (SID), ambulatory surgery (SASD), and emergency department (SEDD) data from five states in the United States (2007-10) to identify pediatric patients with primary VUR undergoing EI or UNC as an initial surgical intervention. Unplanned readmissions, additional procedures, and emergency room (ER) visits were extracted. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression using generalized estimating equation (GEE) to adjust for hospital-level clustering.

RESULTS

The study identified 2556 UNC and 1997 EI procedures. Compared with patients undergoing EI, those who underwent UNC were more likely to be younger (4.6 vs 6.0 years, P < 0.001), male (30 vs 20%, P < 0.001), and publicly insured (34 vs 29%, P < 0.001). As shown in Summary Figure, compared with EI, UNC patients had lower rates of additional anti-reflux procedures within 12 months (25 (1.0) vs 121 (6.1%), P < 0.001), but a higher rate of 30-day and 90-day readmissions and ER visits. On multivariate analysis, patients treated by UNC remained at higher odds of being readmitted (OR = 4.45; 2.69 in 30 days; 90 days, P < 0.001) and to have postoperative ER visits (OR = 3.33; 2.26 in 30 days; 90 days, P < 0.001); however, EI had significantly higher odds of repeat anti-reflux procedures in the subsequent year (OR = 7.12, P < 0.001).

DISCUSSIONS

Endoscopic injection constituted nearly half of initial anti-reflux procedures in children. However, patients treated with UNC had significantly lower odds of requiring re-treatment in the first year relative to those treated with EI. By contrast, patients treated with UNC had more than twice the odds of being readmitted or visiting an ER postoperatively. Although the available data were amongst the largest and most well validated, the major limitation was the retrospective nature of the administrative database. The practice setting may not be generalizable to states not included in the analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative readmissions and ER visits were uncommon after any surgical intervention for VUR, but were more common among children undergoing UNC. The EI patients had a more than seven-fold increased risk of surgical re-treatment within 1 year.

Robotic versus open pediatric ureteral reimplantation: Costs and complications from a nationwide sample

INTRODUCTION

We sought to compare complications and direct costs for open ureteral reimplantation (OUR) versus robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) in a sample of hospitals performing both procedures. Anecdotal reports suggest that use of RALUR is increasing, but little is known of the outcomes and costs nationwide.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to determine the costs and 90-day complications (of any Clavien grade) in a nationwide cohort of pediatric patients undergoing OUR or RALUR.

METHODS

Using the Premier Hospital Database we identified pediatric patients (age < 21 years) who underwent ureteral reimplantation from 2003 to 2013. We compared 90-day complication rates and cost data for RALUR versus OUR using descriptive statistics and hierarchical models.

RESULTS

We identified 17 hospitals in which both RALUR and OURs were performed, resulting in a cohort of 1494 OUR and 108 RALUR cases. The median operative time was 232 min for RALUR vs. 180 min for OUR (p = 0.0041). Incidence of any 90-day complications was higher in the RALUR group: 13.0% of RALUR vs. 4.5% of OUR (OR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.46-6.91, p = 0.0037). The difference remained significant in a multivariate model accounting for clustering among hospitals and surgeons (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.46-6.75; p = 0.0033) (Figure). The median hospital cost for OUR was $7273 versus $9128 for RALUR (p = 0.0499), and the difference persisted in multivariate analysis (p = 0.0043). Fifty-one percent (55/108) of the RALUR cases occurred in 2012-2013.

DISCUSSION

We present the first nationwide sample comparing RALUR and OUR in the pediatric population. There is currently wide variation in the probability of complication reported in the literature. Some variability may be due to differential uptake and experience among centers as they integrate a new procedure into their practice, while some may be due to reporting bias. A strength of the current study is that cost and 90-day postoperative complication data are collected at participating hospitals irrespective of outcomes, providing some immunity from the reporting bias to which individual center surgical series' may be susceptible.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with OUR, RALUR was associated with a significantly higher rate of complications as well as higher direct costs even when adjusted for demographic and regional factors. These findings suggest that RALUR should be implemented with caution, particularly at sites with limited robotic experience, and that outcomes for these procedures should be carefully and systematically tracked.

Retrospective study to determine the short-term outcomes of a modified pneumovesical Glenn-Anderson procedure for treating primary obstructing megaureter

INTRODUCTION

Primary obstructive ureter (POM) is an upper urinary tract malformation in children. Transvesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation is increasingly being used as the first choice to correct POM, replacing the open extravesical approach. Although several procedures have been reported, there is no universally accepted technique for endoscopic ureteral reimplantation.

OBJECTIVE

To report on several modifications of the Glenn-Anderson ureteral advancement technique to make it suitable for a laparoscopic pneumovesical approach to treatment of POM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From February 2006 to December 2013, 63 children with POM, 45 male and 18 female (median age 4.2 years; range 2 months-14 years), underwent modified transvesicoscopic ureteral implantation surgery. The technique was modified by repositioning of the hiatus proximally to afford greater "tunnel" length, and use of a trough rather than a tunnel, avoiding the challenges of more adherent mucosa in the trigone. Ureter diameter was followed over a 12-month period post surgery. Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), intravenous urogram (IVU), or radionuclide imaging were conducted in patients who still had ureteral dilation at 6 months and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The procedure was successfully performed in 62/63 patients. The mean operating time was 105 min. Twelve months after surgery 90% of ureters were considered cured and 10% were considered improved. In patients who showed improvement ureters, the ureter diameter was significantly reduced from preoperative measurements as early as 1 month post surgery.

DISCUSSION

The Glenn-Anderson technique advances the ureteral orifice distal to the trigone near the bladder neck and allows relatively easy access to the upper urinary tract. However, the submucosal tunnel produced is relatively short, and the surgery is not recommended for patients with a small trigone or megaureter because of anatomical considerations. This study made two major modifications to the traditional Glenn-Anderson procedure: (1) the bladder wall was incised superiorolaterally to move the hiatus proximally along the course of the ureter and the detrusor muscle was sutured to the seromuscular layer of the ureter, and (2) a mucosal groove rather than tunnel was used for advancement from the ureteral hiatus to the bladder neck. This approach preserves conventional endourologic access to the upper tracts; however, the stabilizing distal stitch does leave the suture line in proximity to the mucosal suture line, a theoretical disadvantage from the standpoint of ureterovesical fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary results indicate that this modified transvesicoscopic ureteral implantation is an effective procedure with minimal morbidity.

The Impact of Insurance, Race, and Ethnicity on Age at Surgical Intervention among Children with Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the impact of demographic factors, including insurance type, family income, and race/ethnicity, on patient age at the time of surgical intervention for craniosynostosis surgery in the US.

STUDY DESIGN

The Kids' Inpatient Database was queried for admissions of children younger than 3 years of age undergoing craniosynostosis surgery in 2009. Descriptive data regarding age at surgery for various substrata are reported. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate the effect of patient and hospital characteristics on the age at surgery.

RESULTS

Children with private insurance were, on average, 6.8 months of age (95% CI 6.2-7.5) at the time of surgery; children with Medicaid were 9.1 months old (95% CI 8.4-9.8). White children received surgery at mean age of 7.2 months (95% CI 6.5-8.0) and black and Hispanic children at a mean age of 9.1 months (95% CI 8.2-10.1). Multivariate regression analysis found Medicaid insurance (beta coefficient [B]=1.93, P<.001), black or Hispanic race/ethnicity (B=1.34, P=.022), and having 2 or more chronic conditions (B=2.86, P<.001) to be significant independent predictors of older age at surgery.

CONCLUSION

Public insurance and nonwhite race/Hispanic ethnicity were statistically significant predictors for older age at surgery, adjusted for sex, zip code median family income, year, and hospital factors such as size, type, region, and teaching status. Further research into these disparities is warranted.

Vesicoureteric reflux in children

Vesicoureteric reflux is defined as the retrograde passage of urine from the bladder into one or both ureters and often up to the kidneys, and mainly affects babies and infants. In severe cases dilatation of the ureter, renal pelvis, and calyces might be seen. Traditionally it was thought that only a low percentage of children have vesicoureteric reflux, but studies have suggested as many as 25-40% are affected. Guidelines recommend that the number of investigations for vesicoureteric reflux in children who have had a febrile urinary tract infection be reduced, but this approach is controversial. The recommendations also suggest that prophylactic antibiotics and surgery should be avoided in children with non-severe vesicoureteric reflux. In this Seminar I present data on the management of children with vesicoureteric reflux and give suggestions on how to navigate this difficult area.

Physician preference is a major factor in management of vesicoureteral reflux

BACKGROUND

Known factors affecting the management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) include reflux grade, infection frequency, age and gender. We hypothesized that provider preference is highly associated with management.

METHODS

Utilizing the national billing database, Faculty Practice Solutions Center, a multivariable logistic regression model, was applied to analyze the association of pediatric urologist treatment patterns, patient age, gender, uni- or bilateral disease, insurance type, presence of nephropathy and race with the type of VUR treatment a patient would receive.

RESULTS

We identified 59 pediatric urologists who managed 7,882 new reflux patients from 2009 to 2011. Over this 3-year period there was wide variation in surgical utilization between surgeons (mean 50 %) but minimal change for each surgeon (5 %). For every 100 new reflux patients, median utilization of reimplantation surgery and injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux) was 26 and 20 %, respectively. Age ranked highest in predicting surgical versus non-surgical management, while a surgeon's historic Deflux utilization rate ranked highest in predicting surgery type. Older age, female gender and white race also increased the odds of Deflux utilization over reimplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

A surgeon's historic Deflux utilization was the most important predictor of VUR surgery type. Although data on reflux grade were not available, analysis of patient and surgeon characteristics suggests that surgeon preference is the first or second most critical factor in determining a patient's treatment.

Efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in children with vesicoureteral reflux: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Controversy exists regarding the use of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis vs observation in the management of children with vesicoureteral reflux. The reported effectiveness of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis in children with reflux varies widely. We determined whether the aggregated evidence supports use of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis in children with vesicoureteral reflux.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, clinicaltrials.gov, MEDLINE(®), EMBASE(®), Google Scholar and recently presented meeting abstracts for reports in any language. Bibliographies of included studies were then hand searched for any missed articles. The study protocol was prospectively registered at PROSPERO (No. CRD42014009639). Reports were assessed and data abstracted in duplicate, with differences resolved by consensus. Risk of bias was assessed using standardized instruments.

RESULTS

We identified 1,547 studies, of which 8 are included in the meta-analysis. Pooled results demonstrated that continuous antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the risk of recurrent febrile or symptomatic urinary tract infection (pooled OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.96) but, if urinary tract infection occurred, increased the risk of antibiotic resistant organism (pooled OR 8.75, 95% CI 3.52-21.73). A decrease in new renal scarring was not associated with continuous antibiotic prophylaxis use. Adverse events were similar between the 2 groups. Significant heterogeneity existed between studies (I(2) 50%, p = 0.03), specifically between those trials with significant risk of bias (eg unclear protocol descriptions and/or lack of blinding).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to no treatment, continuous antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the risk of febrile and symptomatic urinary tract infections in children with vesicoureteral reflux, although it increased the risk of infection due to antibiotic resistant bacteria. Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis did not significantly impact the occurrence of new renal scarring or reported adverse events.

Relevance of current guidelines in the management of VUR

In recent years, there have been fundamental changes in the understanding of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This is reflected by current international guidelines that cover diagnosis, screening, and treatment of VUR. However, literature is still lacking and many questions are unsolved. In this article, we shortly review the important aspects of the current guidelines. Due to the lack of high-powered randomized controlled trials, guidelines often are based on an expert's opinion rather than evidence. In this review article, we address the controversies in the management of VUR; siblings and children with antenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis and the management of a patient with VUR.

CONCLUSION

With an individualized approach and patient risk stratification, the goal today must be to address the clinical problem, avoid unnecessary tests, and provide good quality of life for the patient and parents.

Ureteroneocystostomy after failed dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection for vesicoureteral reflux treatment

PURPOSE

To report our experience of open ureteroneocystostomy after failed endoscopic treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Clinical charts of 787 children who entered our dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (DxHA) endoscopic injection program for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) treatment between May 2000 and December 2009 were reviewed. Fifty-one of these patients were submitted to open ureteroneocystostomy for complete resolution of VUR.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (55%) were female. Median age at surgery was 65 months (range: 26-182). Median time going from first endoscopic injection until open surgery was 13 months (range 1-58). Surgical ureteral reimplantation was bilateral in 62.7% of the cases. Of a total of 83 operated ureters, nine were duplex ureters, nine were megaureters, six were ectopic, and two had periureteral diverticulum. Mean operative time was 70 min (range 45-120 min). There were no intra-operative complications. Follow-up VCUG showed complete resolution of VUR in 98% of patients. There was only one right-sided grade III VUR that persisted after bilateral reimplantation. It resolved with a single subureteral DxHA injection.

CONCLUSIONS

Ureteroneocystostomy after a failed endoscopic treatment can achieve successful results in a high percentage of patients with minimal complications.

The incidence of urinary tract infection after open anti-reflux surgery for primary vesicoureteral reflux: early and long-term follow up

OBJECTIVES

Controversy exists regarding the benefit of open anti-reflux surgery (OS) in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI). We, therefore, reviewed our short and long term data in children who have undergone OS.

METHODS

153 children (131F, 22M; ages 2-16 yrs, mean 8 yrs) underwent OS from 1990 to 2008. Reasons for presentation were UTI-131; sibling survey-19; prenatal hydronephrosis-3. Major reasons for OS were: breakthrough UTI-74 (48%), high grade (IV or V)-49 (32%), poor compliance with prophylaxis-15 (10%). Of 153 pre-operative DMSA scans, 60 (39%) had defects. Post-operative studies were performed 6 months after surgery and 151 (99%) had negative voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG's). All underwent urine cultures 6 months post-op and prophylaxis was stopped. 56 (37%) were later contacted at an average 7 yrs post-op (range: 2-13 yrs).

RESULTS

23 (15% of 153 followed short term, 40% of 56 followed long term)-20F, 3M-had non-febrile UTI's (nfUTI's) and one girl (0.6%) had a febrile UTI (fUTI). Of those who had nfUTI's 7 (30%) had high grade reflux and 16 (70%) had pre-op breakthrough UTI's. 11 (48%) had DMSA scans with defects. 2 had UTI's within 1 year after a negative VCUG and 21 had UTI's later (1-8 yrs). 1 girl had a fUTI 1 month after a negative VCUG.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful OS effectively eliminates fUTI. Families should be counseled that nfUTI may occur many years after surgery, especially in girls with a history of breakthrough UTI and renal scarring.

Clinical outcomes and long-term resolution in patients with persistent vesicoureteral reflux after open ureteral reimplantation

PURPOSE

Success rates of ureteral reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux are high. Few studies document the natural history of children with persistent vesicoureteral reflux. We reviewed their clinical outcomes and long-term resolution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of all children with persistent vesicoureteral reflux (grade 1 or greater) into the reimplanted ureter(s) on initial cystogram after reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux at our institution from January 1990 to December 2002. We evaluated subsequent cystograms (graded on the 3-point radionuclide cystogram scale), surgery and urinary tract infection. We performed survival analyses of time to resolution of persistent (grade 1 or greater) and clinically significant (grade 2 or greater) vesicoureteral reflux in patients with more than 1 postoperative cystogram.

RESULTS

Of 965 patients 59 (94 ureters) had persistent vesicoureteral reflux (6.1%), including 19 grade 1/3, 29 grade 2/3 and 11 grade 3/3. Median patient age at reimplantation was 1.9 years (range 0.8 to 5.1) and 62.7% were female. Preoperative vesicoureteral reflux grade was 2/3 in 42.4% and 3/3 in 57.6%, and 30.5% of patients had ureteral tapering. Median followup was 47.1 months (IQR 19.3-650.3). Reflux was resolved in 26 of 36 (72.2%) patients and median time to resolution was 20.4 months. Grade 2 or greater reflux on postoperative cystogram resolved in 21 of 32 (65.6%) patients and median time to resolution was 20.4 months. There were 10 patients with persistent vesicoureteral reflux at last cystogram, grade 1 or 2 in 9 and 3/3 in 1 patient. One patient underwent repeat reimplantation for persistent vesicoureteral reflux and 7 (13%) had postoperative febrile urinary tract infection at a median of 37 months postoperatively (IQR 1.7-64.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent vesicoureteral reflux after reimplantation resolves spontaneously in most children and can be managed nonoperatively with good long-term outcomes.

Surgical management of vesicoureteral reflux in children

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most common uropathy affecting children. Compared to children without VUR, those with VUR have a higher rate of pyelonephritis and renal scarring following urinary tract infection (UTI). Options for treatment include observation with or without antibiotic prophylaxis and surgical repair. Surgical intervention may be necessary in patients with persistent reflux, renal scarring, and recurrent or breakthrough febrile UTI. Both open and endoscopic approaches to reflux correction are successful and reduce the occurrence of febrile UTI. Estimated success rates of open and endoscopic reflux correction are 98.1% (95% CI 95.1, 99.1) and 83.0% (95% CI 69.1, 91.4), respectively. Factors that affect the success of endoscopic injection include pre-operative reflux grade and presence of functional or anatomic bladder abnormalities including voiding dysfunction and duplicated collecting systems. Few studies have evaluated the long-term outcomes of endoscopic injection, and with variable results. In patients treated endoscopically, recurrent febrile UTI occurred in 0-21%, new renal damage in 9-12%, and recurrent reflux in 17-47.6% of treated ureters with at least 1 year follow-up. These studies highlight the need for standardized outcome reporting and longer follow-up after endoscopic treatment.

Durability of antireflux effect of ureteral reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux: findings on long-term cystography

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term durability of successful ureteral reimplantation (UR) for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) through a review of late cystography (LC) findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of all children with primary VUR who underwent successful open UR (grade 0 VUR into the reimplanted ureter[s] on initial cystogram) at our institution from January 1990 to December 2002. We identified successful UR patients who underwent LC ≥ 1 year after UR and reviewed the results for the presence of recurrent VUR into the reimplanted ureter(s).

RESULTS

Seven-hundred ninety-four patients underwent successful open UR for primary VUR, of whom 60 (7.6%) had a subsequent LC. Preoperative VUR grade was ≤ II in 20 (34.5%) and ≥ III in 38 (65.5%). Median age at UR was 3.5 years (IQR 1.3-6.2 years); 51 (85%) were female. UR was intravesical in 45 (75%) and bilateral in 19 (32%). LC was performed at a median of 38.7 months after UR (IQR 19.6-66.1 months). Indication for LC was febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in 16 (27%), nonfebrile UTIs in 15 (25%), follow-up of contralateral VUR in 16 (27%), and other clinical indications in 13 (21%). The recurrence rate was 0%; of the 79 reimplanted ureters, 100% (95% CI 95.4-100) had no VUR (grade 0).

CONCLUSION

Among children who underwent successful open UR for primary VUR, there was no VUR recurrence on extended follow-up. This suggests that the late durability of open antireflux surgery is excellent.

Difficulties in diagnosing urinary tract infections in small children

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children appear to be simple and straightforward matters, but there is as yet no consensus on UTIs in this patient group, and it remains one of the most - if not the most - controversial fields in paediatric medicine. Controversy and the lack of consensus can be found in many areas, including the diagnosis and management of UTIs in paediatric patients. Consequently, children with a UTI are investigated and treated quite differently in different parts of the world and also within different parts of the same country. One factor contributing to the current situation is the unexpected difficulty in diagnosing a UTI in children. This difficulty has implications not only for clinical work but also for scientific studies. Substantial over- and under-diagnosing can result from practical difficulties in at least three areas, including problems with collecting urine samples, in interpreting bacterial numbers correctly, and in confusing infantile asymptomatic bacteriuria and a true symptomatic febrile UTI. In this review, these problems will be discussed in detail as well as the implications they have had on clinical practice and research on UTIs.

Database research in pediatric urology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Research using existing data collected for other purposes, also known as secondary data analysis, is becoming increasingly popular in pediatric urology, yet has significant issues with interpretation. This article reviews some of the current data being presented in a critical manner and provides insight into appropriate interpretation.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are numerous datasets available to pediatric urologists. These datasets allow investigators access to a large number of patients, which can lead to generalizable conclusions on a national level and can be performed in a time-efficient manner. However, investigators must be cautious when performing and interpreting such studies given the need for careful study design when using secondary data analysis. One must be sure that the dataset is well collected and valid, that it is an appropriate dataset with appropriate measures for the research question at hand, that the study population is adequately sorted from the overall dataset, and that appropriate statistical methods have been applied to minimize confounding and bias.

SUMMARY

Secondary data analysis can help answer questions that are difficult to address due to feasibility of patient recruitment, time, and cost. The results can be informative and applicable. With careful attention to study design and methods, dataset and research question compatibility, and statistical issues, one can construct a study that is valid, robust, and generalizable.

Outcomes after pediatric ureteral reimplantation: a population based analysis

PURPOSE

Pediatric urology literature is often biased toward single, high volume institutions. We determined the impact of patient, surgeon and hospital characteristics on immediate outcomes for children undergoing ureteral reimplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried the University Health-System Consortium Clinical Data Base to identify a pediatric population who underwent ureteroneocystostomy between 2004 and 2009. We measured the association of the outcome variables length of stay, number of days in the intensive care unit and complication rates on the independent variables of age, gender, race, insurance status, year of surgery, and surgeon and hospital characteristics. The data were analyzed using multiple logistic, Poisson and Poisson hurdle model regression analyses incorporating random effects for surgeon and hospital.

RESULTS

We identified 5,668 subjects who underwent ureteroneocystostomy. Compared with patients treated by high volume providers, those treated by low volume surgeons (less than 13 cases per year) had a longer length of stay (47%), higher odds of intensive care unit admission (OR 8.1), longer intensive care unit stays (103%) and higher rate of surgical related complications (162%). Other independent variables of male gender, nonwhite race and prior comorbidities were independently associated with longer length of stay, higher intensive care unit admissions and higher risk of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeon volume, not hospital volume, is an important and consistent predictor of length of stay, intensive care unit admissions, intensive care unit days and complication rate after ureteroneocystostomy. These findings posit that the short length of stay, low intensive care unit admission rate and low complication rate reported in the literature may not be generalizable, but rather limited to higher volume surgeons.

Surgical Reimplantation for the Correction of Vesicoureteral Reflux following Failed Endoscopic Injection

Purpose. In recent years, endoscopic injection became the procedure of choice for the correction of vesicoureteral reflux in the majority of the centers. Unfortunately, endoscopic treatment is not always successful and sometimes requires more than one trial to achieve similar results to that of an open reimplantation surgery. Our aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and success rate of open ureteral reimplantation following failed endoscopic procedure. Patients and Methods. During 2004-2010, we evaluated 16 patients with persistent vesicoureteral reflux (grades II-IV) following failed endoscopic treatment. All patients underwent open ureteral reimplantation. All patients were followed with an ultrasound 6 weeks following surgery and every 6 months thereafter for an average of 22 months. Voiding cystography was performed at 3 months after surgery. Results. During unilateral open ureteral reimplantation, the implanted deposit from previous procedures was either excised, drained, or incorporated into the neotunnel with the ureter. Vesicoureteral reflux was resolved in all patients with 100% success rate. No new hydronephrosis or signs of obstruction developed in any of the patients. qDMSA renal scan was available in 8 patients showing improvement of function in 5 and stable function in 3, and no new scars were identified. Conclusions. Open ureteral reimplantation is an excellent choice for the correction of failed endoscopic treatment in children with vesicoureteral reflux.