Laparoscopic transposition of lower pole crossing vessels (vascular hitch) in children with pelviureteric junction obstruction

Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Caused by Crossing Vessels in Infants and Young Children

BACKGROUND

To analyze the clinical characteristics of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) caused by crossing vessels (CV) in infants and young children.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on children with UPJO who underwent primary surgery. Patients were classified into laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) and open pyeloplasty (OP) groups and classified as ≤3 or >3 (years old) groups. Children with CV-caused UPJO were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 747 patients were included. Ninety cases of CV were identified. The CV discovery rate was higher in the LP group (78/457, 17.1%) than in the OP group (12/290, 4.1%) (P < 0.001). In the ≤3 group, the CV discovery rate in the LP group (27/144, 18.8%) was higher than that in the OP group (11/274, 4.0%) (P < 0.001). In the LP group, there was no significant difference between ≤3 (27/144, 18.8%) and >3 (51/313, 16.3%) groups in the CV discovery rate. The rate in children with UPJO was not significantly different at any age (P > 0.05). Progressive aggravation of hydronephrosis (21/27, 77.8%) and symptomatic hydronephrosis (44/51, 86.3%) were the main surgical indications in the ≤3 and > 3 groups, respectively. There were no preoperatively confirmed cases of CV in the ≤3 group. In the OP group, five patients underwent reoperation, three of whom were due to failure to detect CV during the initial operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The CV distribution is similar in children with UPJO across all ages; CV in infants and young children are not rare. LP should be considered as CV are prone to being missed during OP.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

III.

Uretero-pelvic junction obstruction in children: Is vascular hitch an effective and safe solutions in very long term outcome? Report of 25 years follow-up

Vascular (VH) according to Hellstrom-Chapman technique is considered a safe and effective alternative approach to pure extrinsic Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction (UPJO) with good results in short and medium term, but few data are available on long and verylong term outcomes. Our aim is to evaluate VH long and very-long term outcomes in patients treated in pediatric age focusing on relapse, development of hypertension and/or inferior polar kidney hypotrophy during puberty and adulthood. From 1990 to 2015 in our Department 76 children were treated by open or laparoscopic VH for pure extrinsic-UPJO. We were able to contact 54 of 76. 41 patients (25 males, 16 females) accepted to be studied. Mean follow- up time was 12.7 years (range 6-27 years); mean age at the assessment was 22.2 years. We excluded patients who were younger than 13 (if females) or 14 (if males) at the assessment (upper limits of physiological puberty onset). Patients were followed with US, MAG-3-scan and arterial blood pressure measurement. Collected data were compared with the preoperative ones by Student t-test. 95% of US images and MAG-3-scan reports were compatible with complete resolution of obstruction with good renal functionality. 87% of patients were completely healthy. We recorded 3 cases of hypertension (7%) not secondary to renovascular origin; 2 cases with recurrent flank pain (5%) with slightly dilated pelvis at the US and sub-obstructive pattern at MAG-3-scan with preserved renal function. Our experience confirms that VH, (open/laparoscopic) is a safe and effective procedure with good outcomes at very longterm follow-up. No patients at puberty and in adulthood required reoperation or presented polar hypotrophy and related vascular hypertension. VH is an alternative approach to pure extrinsic-UPJO. There were few data about long and very-long term outcomes in patients after this kind of surgery. We followed-up 41 patients confirming that VH (open/laparoscopic) is safe and effective with good long-term outcomes.

Pelviureteric Junction Obstruction Due to Vascular Anomalies in Children - Simple Surgical Options

Aims

Pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) due to aberrant lower polar artery is conventionally managed with pyeloplasty. We present our experience of managing PUJO due to "vascular" anomalies-aberrant lower polar artery and vascular adhesions with simpler surgical options.

Subjects and Methods

This is a protocol based, retrospective study of PUJO. Preoperative investigations included ultrasonography (USG) and diuretic renogram. An intraoperative methylene blue test (MBT) assessed transit across the Pelviureteric junction (PUJ) after release of vascular compression. Surgical management included adhesiolysis for vascular adhesions and pyelopyelostomy anterior to the aberrant polar artery. Postoperative studies were repeated after 3 and 6 months.

Results

Fourteen of 144 PUJO (9.7%) were "vascular" obstructions. Those with vascular adhesions (six) were largely infants with antenatal hydronephrosis. Children with aberrant lower polar artery (eight) were older, had fleeting symptoms, minimally increased pelvic diameter and subtle impairment on diuretic renogram. Majority were term males with urinary tract infection. The MBT showed normal transit across the PUJ in all. Postoperatively, there was progressive improvement on USG and diuretic renogram after 3 and 6 months. None had any complication or redosurgeries. At a mean follow-up of 41.2 months, all are asymptomatic.

Conclusions

PUJO due to extrinsic vascular anomalies is rare. Intraoperative evaluation with the MBT ruled out associated intrinsic pathology. We describe two simple surgical alternatives preserving the normal PUJ - adhesiolysis for vascular adhesions and pyelopyelostomy for aberrant lower polar artery. The preliminary outcomes are comparable to conventional pyeloplasty.

Transposition and fixation of lower pole crossing vessel in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction: A STROBE-compliant study

Chapman and Hellstrom techniques are typically employed to transpose renal lower pole crossing vessels (LPCVs). Both procedures have certain limitations. We investigated the midterm outcomes in pediatric patients in whom LPCV-induced ureteropelvic junction obstruction was treated with either dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty or upward transposition coupled with a new technique to fix the LPCV.We retrospectively compared Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty to the new technique in terms of outcome. LPCV transposition was considered feasible in patients in whom the diuretic loading test revealed a decrease in the pelvic volume after correction of vascular compression as well as absence of structural changes in the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) and hemodynamic compromise of the lower renal pole. The fascial flap was passed below the LPCV to form a "hammock". The free edge of the flap was sutured to its base.Group 1 consisted of 102 (69.9%) patients (median age: 7.9 years) undergoing dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty, while group 2 included 44 (30.1%) patients (median age: 8.4 years) treated with upward transposition and the new technique to fix the LPCV. No intra-operative complications or conversions occurred in either group. Redo-pyeloplasty was performed in 3 (2.9%) children of group 1 and 1 (2.3%) child of group 2. Renal ultrasonography conducted 12 months after surgery revealed similar anteroposterior diameters of the renal pelvis in groups 1 (7.9 ± 8.1 mm) and 2 (6.0 ± 2.9 mm). Patients in both groups showed a non-significant median increase in differential renal function at follow-up after at least 1 year after surgery (group 1: 36% [33.3; 40.5] vs 36.5% [35.3; 41.0]; group 2: 41% [37.5; 46.0] vs 43% [39; 46]).In our patients, the new technique for laparoscopic or open fixation of the obstructing vessel after transposition was effective, reproducible, and devoid of limitations typical for the Chapman and Hellstrom techniques. We recommend Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty in children with a history of hydronephrosis diagnosed antenatally, recurrent abdominal pain, intra-operative absence of peristalsis across the UPJ, high location of the UPJ at the renal pelvis, or intra-operative absence of volume reduction of the renal pelvis upon furosemide testing.

Evolving trends in peri-operative management of pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction: working towards quicker recovery and day surgery pyeloplasty

OBJECTIVE

To describe the evolution of practice patterns for pediatric pyeloplasty and determine how these changes have impacted length of stay (LOS), reoperation rates and return emergency department (ER) visits.

METHODS

We reviewed our pyeloplasty database from 2008 to 2020 at a quaternary pediatric referral center and we included children 0-18 years undergoing pyeloplasty. Variables captured included: age, sex, baseline and follow-up anteroposterior diameter (APD) and differential renal function (DRF). We also collected data on the use of drains, catheters and/or stents, nausea and vomiting prophylaxis, opioids, regional anesthesia, and non-opioid analgesia. Outcomes were LOS, reoperation rates and ER visits.

RESULTS

A total of 554 patients (565 kidneys) were included. Reoperation rate was 7%, redo rate 4% and ER visits 17%. There was a trend towards less opioids, indwelling catheters and internal stents and increasing non-opioid analgesia, externalized stents, and regional anesthesia during the study period. Same-day discharge (SDD) was possible for 88 (16%) children with no differences in reoperation or readmission rates between SDD and admitted (ADM). There was a difference in ER visits (21 [24%] vs. 26 [6%]; p = 0.04) for SDD vs. ADM, respectively. On multivariate analysis, the only predictor of ER visits was younger age. Patients < 7 months were more likely to present to ER (15/41; 37% vs. 6/47, 13%; p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis determined indwelling catheters and opioids were associated with ADM while dexamethasone and ketorolac with SDD.

CONCLUSION

Progressive changes in care have contributed to a shorter LOS and increasing rates of SDD for pyeloplasty patients. SDD appears to be feasible and does not result in higher complication rates. These data support the development of a pediatric pyeloplasty ERAS protocol to maximize quicker recovery and foster SDD as a goal.

Vascular hitch for paediatric pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction with crossing vessels: institutional analysis and systematic review with meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcomes for laparoscopic vascular hitch (VH) and dismembered pyeloplasty in patients with pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) secondary to crossing vessels (CV).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent laparoscopic management of CV at our institution were identified between 2008 and 2020. Baseline characteristics and outcome measures were compared between those who underwent VH and those who underwent dismembered pyeloplasty. Those who underwent VH were selected intraoperatively by identifying CV in the absence of intrinsic obstruction by assessing resolution of hydronephrosis after cranially displacing the CV away from the PUJ, followed by intraoperative fluid bolus and diuretic test. In addition, a systematic search and meta-analysis were performed in June 2020 (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews [PROSPERO] ID CRD42020195833).

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients underwent VH and 74 dismembered pyeloplasty. On multivariate analysis, VH was associated with: shorter operative time (P = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 0.455, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.294-0.705) and length of stay (P = 0.012; OR 0.383, 95% CI 0.183-0.803), lower use of stents (P < 0.001; OR 0.024, 95% CI 0.004-0.141) and opioid administration (P = 0.005; OR 0.157, 95% CI 0.044-0.567). From our literature search, 194 records were identified and 18 records were included (three comparative and 16 non-comparative). Meta-analysis of the comparative studies and our institutional data showed similar success rates (relative risk [RR] 1.77, 95% CI 0.33-9.52) and complication rates (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.20-2.82). VH was associated with shorter operative time (standardised mean difference [SMD] -1.65, 95% CI -2.58 to -0.72 h) and hospital stay (SMD -1.41, 95% CI -2.36 to -0.47 days). The VH success rates ranged from 87.5% to 100% in the identified studies. Failure of VH was associated with unrecognised concomitant intrinsic obstruction in addition to CV.

CONCLUSIONS

A VH, for well-selected patients with CV without concomitant intrinsic obstruction, offers a high success rate with shorter operative times.

Symptomatology and Clinic of Hydronephrosis Associated With Uretero Pelvic Junction Anomalies

The most common cause of hydronephrosis in the pediatric age group is ureteropelvic junction-type hydronephrosis (UPJHN). Since the advent of widespread maternal ultrasound screening, clinical presentation of hydronephrosis associated with UPJ anomalies has changed dramatically. Today most cases are diagnosed in the prenatal period, and neonates present without signs or symptoms. For those who are not detected at birth, UPJHN eventually presents throughout childhood and even adulthood with various symptoms. Clinical picture of UPJHN highly depends on the presence and severity of obstruction, and whether it affects single or both kidneys. Abdominal or flank pain, abdominal mass, hematuria, kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTI), and gastrointestinal discomfort are the main symptoms of UPJHN in childhood. Other less common findings in such patients are growth retardation, anemia, and hypertension. UTI is a relatively rare condition in UPJHN cases, but it may occur as pyelonephritis. Vesicoureteric reflux should be kept in mind as a concomitant pathology in pediatric UPJHN that develop febrile UTI. Although many UPJHN cases are known to improve over time, close clinical observation is critical in order to avoid irreversible kidney damage. The most appropriate approach is to follow-up the patients considering the presence of symptoms, the severity of hydronephrosis and the decrease in kidney function and, if necessary, to decide on early surgical intervention.

The role of multidetector CT angiography in characterizing vascular compression syndromes of the abdomen

Background

Various abdominal vessels can compress the adjacent structures or in turn can get compressed by them. Most of these compression syndromes present with non-specific symptoms. Unlike the common causes of acute abdomen, the various vascular compression syndromes have bizarre clinical presentations and subtle imaging findings, which can easily be missed by the physicians as well as the radiologists.

Main body of the abstract

This is a retrospective study which was done for a period of 3 years from April 2015 to April 2018 using a 64-slice CT scanner. Among 2412 cases that came for evaluation, 114 patients were diagnosed to have one of the various vascular compression syndromes. These 114 cases were further managed either conservatively or surgically depending on the pathology and the severity of the compression. The syndromes discussed in this article include median arcuate ligament syndrome (29 cases), superior mesenteric artery syndrome (23 cases), portal biliopathy (3 cases), nutcracker syndrome (6 cases), pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction due to crossing of vessels (8 cases), and retrocaval ureter and May-Thurner syndrome (45 cases).

Conclusions

The primary goal of this article is to reinforce the knowledge of the radiologists of the various vascular compression syndromes and to make them possess a high degree of vigilance to detect them. This article elaborates the imaging findings of these syndromes and the role of multidetector CT angiography in diagnosing them.

Hydronephrosis in Children Caused by Lower Pole Crossing Vessels-How to Choose the Proper Method of Treatment?

Objectives: Assessment of the efficacy of intraoperative diagnosis between extrinsic and intrinsic UPJO in children. Assessment of the efficacy of laparoscopic vascular-hitch procedure in UPJO caused by lower pole crossing vessels (CV). Materials and Methods: Between 2008 and 2017, 47 laparoscopic procedures were performed with the CV discovered intraoperatively. CV were translocated cephalad, and the UPJ was carefully inspected. The Chapman's vascular hitch procedure was accomplished in the case of decreasing sizes of the pelvis and clear, visible peristalsis of the UPJ (31 patients). In the other cases, Anderson-Hynes (A-H) pyeloplasty with posterior translocation of the CV was performed (16 patients). Results: The median age at operation was 6 years (range 1-16) in VH and 6 years (range 2-17) in A-H (p = 0.4635). Prenatal dilatation of kidney was diagnosed in 18.7% of VH and 10% of A-H cases (p = 0.5474). Success was achieved in 16 (100%) patients in the A-H and in 29 (93.54%) in the VH groups. Two patients (6.5%) in VH required repeated surgery because of a misdiagnosed intrinsic obstruction. Median operation time in VH was 80 min (range 40-105) and was 105 (range 70-225) in A-H (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The intraoperative selection based on intraoperative pelvis and UPJ appearance after vessel transposition is sufficient in majority of cases. Laparoscopic vascular hitch seems to be effective and safe procedure, but can only be performed on carefully selected patients. In case of misdiagnosis, reoperation is possible with the same laparoscopic access.

Advances in paediatric urology

Paediatric urological surgery is often required for managing congenital and acquired disorders of the genitourinary system. In this Series paper, we highlight advances in the surgical management of six paediatric urological disorders. The management of vesicoureteral reflux is evolving, with advocacy ranging from a less interventional assessment and antimicrobial prophylaxis to surgery including endoscopic injection of a bulking agent and minimally invasive ureteric reimplantation. Evidence supports early orchidopexy to improve fertility and reduce malignancy in boys with undescended testes. A variety of surgical techniques have been developed for hypospadias, with excellent outcomes for distal but not proximal hypospadias. Pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction is mostly detected prenatally; indications for surgery have been refined with evidence, and minimally invasive pyeloplasty is now standard. The outlook for patients with neurogenic bladder has been transformed by a combination of clean intermittent catheterisation, algorithms of diagnostic investigations, and innovative medical and surgical therapies. Posterior urethral valves are associated with considerable mortality; fetal diagnosis allows stratification of candidates for intervention, but ongoing bladder dysfunction in patients after valve ablation remains a cause of long-term morbidity.