Endoscopic management of vesicoueteral reflux in adult women

Abstract

• To describe our endoscopic management of adult women with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and associated outcomes. • We retrospectively identified 19 adult women who presented for the endoscopic treatment of VUR from November 2001 to January 2008. • Each patient was diagnosed with VUR by voiding cystourethrogram or nuclear cystourethrogram after an episode of pyelonephritis or recurrent urinary tract infections with renal scarring on ultrasound. • A dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan was performed prior to treatment. All patients underwent endoscopic treatment with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Deflux). Patients with bilateral VUR received bilateral injections during the same procedure. • Follow-up imaging was obtained and success was strictly defined as no degree of VUR. Patients with residual VUR received repeat endoscopic treatment. • Nineteen patients with a mean age of 22 years old (range 18-33 years old) underwent endoscopic treatment for VUR. A total of 79% (15/19) had pre-existing risk factors for VUR, including prior open anti-reflux surgery (26%), family history of VUR (26%) and childhood diagnosis of VUR (26%). • Imaging revealed that 47% (9/19) had renal scarring and 26% (5/19) had bilateral VUR. The success rate was 79% (19/24) after one treatment, 92% (22/24) after 5 patients received a second treatment, and 96% (23/24) after 2 patients received a third treatment. There were no perioperative complications. • Endoscopic management of VUR is both safe and effective in adult women.