Postoperative ureteral obstruction after endoscopic treatment for vesicoureteral reflux

Vesicoureteral Reflux: Current Care Trends and Future Possibilities

Although investigations over the past 2 decades have improved our understanding of the natural history of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and helped identify those at higher risk of both VUR itself as well as its potential severe sequelae, debate exists regarding key aspects of care, including when to perform diagnostic imaging and which patients benefit from continuous antibiotic prophylaxis. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to distill large volumes of granular data into practical tools that clinicians can use to guide diagnosis and management decisions. Surgical treatment, when indicated, remains highly effective and is associated with low morbidity.

Prevalence of Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in Toilet-Trained Children With Urinary Tract Infection and/or Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children leads to renal scarring in 10-15% of patients. Urinary tract anomalies and bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) are documented risk factors for recurrent UTIs. Estimates of baseline prevalence of BBD in children with UTI will help the clinician in the management strategy. Hence, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of BBD. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases were searched for articles related to UTI, primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and BBD. We included studies that provided prevalence of BBD in toilet-trained patients aged 1-18 years with UTI and/or VUR. BBD was defined based on clinical history or questionnaire or urodynamic studies. Two authors independently reviewed, assessed, and abstracted data from studies. Pooled prevalence was calculated based on a random effects model. Results: Forty-three studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria were selected from a total of 1,731 studies. Among patients presenting with UTI without primary VUR, pooled prevalence of BBD was 41% (95% CI: 26-55; nine studies, 920 patients, I ² = 96.0%), whereas its prevalence in patients with primary VUR was 49% (43-56; 30 studies, 5,060 patients, I ² = 96.0%). Weighting by the study design and quality did not affect the prevalence. In patients with primary VUR, prevalence of BBD was higher in females (53%; 42-65) than in males (44%; 15-73). In studies where urodynamic study was used for the diagnosis of BBD, prevalence was 63%. The presence of BBD in patients with primary VUR increased risk of recurrent UTIs [relative risk (RR): 2.1; 1.7-2.5]. In five studies that reported separate data on constipation, pooled prevalence of constipation was 27% (16-37). Conclusion: Almost half of the patients with primary VUR have BBD, and its presence increases the risk of recurrent UTIs. Trends of high BBD prevalence were also observed in patients presenting with UTI without VUR. These prevalence estimates suggest that all toilet-trained children presenting with UTI with or without VUR should be assessed for BBD, which will help in their further management.

Incidence of ureterovesical obstruction and Cohen antireflux surgery after Deflux® treatment for vesicoureteric reflux

AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of ureteric obstruction (UB) and requirement for Cohen antireflux surgery (CAS) after Deflux^Ⓡ treatment (DT) for vesicoureteric reflux (VUR).

METHODS

Between 2011 and 2017, 494 ureters (VUR severity ≤ grade III: N=291 or >grade IV: N=203) were treated by DT at a mean age of 4.5 (range: 0.2-24) years. Epidural Catheter Assistance (ECA) was used to exclude UB by injecting diluted indigo carmine solution (1-3mL) into an epidural catheter inserted into a ureter after DT and confirming dye flow within 15min. ECA+: N=181 ureters; ECA-: N=313 ureters.

RESULTS

In ECA+, UB was detected in 5/181 (2.7%) ureters (grade II: N=1, III: N=3, and IV: N=1) treated by leaving the ECA catheter in situ overnight (N=4) or double J stent (DJS) insertion for 1month (N=2). After mean follow-up of 1.9years, one grade III DJS case has residual grade II VUR. In ECA-, 3/313 (0.9%) cases developed UB. One resolved, and one required DJS. CAS was required for 17/494 (3.4%) ureters and hindered by DT in 5/17 (29.4%) ureters. All are sequelae-free after mean follow-up of 1.8years.

CONCLUSIONS

UB may be more frequent than reported (3.3% versus 0.6%-1.8%). ECA identifies potential UB.

TYPE OF STUDY

Treatment study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.