Recurrent Vesicoureteral Reflux Research Articles

The Role of Endoscopic Treatment in the Management of Grade V Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux

ObjectivesAlthough endoscopic treatment provides a high rate of success in children with grades II–IV vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), its role in the management of grade V reflux has been questioned. In this study we reviewed our 21-yr experience of endoscopic treatment in children with grade V primary VUR. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 132 children who underwent endoscopic treatment for primary grade V reflux from 1984 to 2004. VUR was unilateral in 39 patients and bilateral in 34, and 59 patients had ipsilateral grade V reflux with a lower grade of VUR on the contralateral side. Endoscopic treatment was performed in a total of 166 grade V ureters; polytetrafluoroethylene was used from 1984 to 2000 and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid from 2001 to 2004. Median follow-up was 12.2 yr and mean follow-up was 13.4 yr. ResultsVUR was completely resolved after first injection in 88 (53%) ureters and downgraded to grade I or II in 26 (15.7%). VUR resolved after a second and third injection in 36 (21.7%) and 10 (6%) of ureters, respectively. Endoscopic treatment failed to correct VUR in 6 (3.6%) ureters, requiring ureteral reimplantation in 5 and nephrectomy in 1. Thirteen patients developed urinary tract infections during the follow-up period, and on investigation 9 ureters (5.4%) had recurrence of VUR. No injection or morbidity related to tissue-augmenting substances was noted in any patient. ConclusionEndoscopic treatment should be the first-line of treatment in management of grade V vesicoureteral reflux.

Trigonoplasty to Treat Secondary Vesicoureteral Reflux in Neurogenic Bladders

Objectives: The effectiveness of Gil-Vernet’s trigonoplasty, with technical modifications, was studied in treating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in neurogenic bladders. Methods: Modified Gil-Vernet’s trigonoplasty, making the transmural ureters advance over the midline and cross each other in the trigone, was applied in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction and VUR, diagnosed by voiding cystourethrogram. Most of the patients were sufficiently followed up by cystourethrogram. Results: 26 patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction were diagnosed as having 43 refluxing units and underwent modified Gil-Vernet’s trigonoplasty. Reflux was grade I in 5 units, grade II in 7, grade III in 5, grade IV in 18, and grade V in 8, with unilateral reflux in 9 patients and bilateral reflux in 17. Surgery was successful in 95.3% of 43 refluxing units. 22 patients were followed 3–6 months after the operation, and the cure rate was 90.9% (no reflux under voiding cystourethrogram). 18 patients were followed up for more than 2 years without recurrence of VUR. Conclusions: Modified Gil-Vernet’s trigonoplasty might be a useful technique in the management of patients with VUR secondary to neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Endoscopic Treatment of Primary Grades IV and V Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children With Subureteral Injection of Polytetrafluoroethylene

We evaluated our experience with endoscopic STING (subureteral polytetrafluoroethylene injection) for grades IV and V vesicoureteral reflux. We reviewed the records of 221 boys and 305 girls who underwent STING for primary grades IV (430) and V (96) vesicoureteral reflux between 1984 and 2000. Median patient age at STING was 3 years (range 3 months to 14 years). Reflux was unilateral and bilateral in 335 and 191 children, respectively (717 refluxing units). Median followup was 11.6 years (range 1 to 17). Reflux was corrected in 420 of the 717 refluxing units (58%) after a single injection. Reflux resolved after a second and third injection in 185 ureters (26%). High grade reflux was converted to grades I and II in 112 ureters (15%) and did not require any further treatment. STING failed to correct reflux in 7 units (0.9%), which were managed by ureteral reimplantation (5) and nephrectomy (2) due to poor renal function. Voiding cystourethrography showed recurrent vesicoureteral reflux in 9 units (1.2%), including 2 with low grade reflux for which no treatment was given. Seven ureters required repeat injection due to grades III and IV reflux. No untoward effects were noted in any patients in whom polytetrafluoroethylene was used as the injected material. STING is a simple, safe and effective outpatient procedure for grades IV and V vesicoureteral reflux.

Augmentation ileocystoplasty in patients with neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury or spina bifida.

Retrospective analysis of augmentation ileocystoplasty for neurogenic bladder. To analyze the effects and complications of augmentation ileocystoplasty in patients with neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury (SCI) or spina bifida retrospectively. Department of Urology, Kanagawa Rehabilitation Hospital, Japan. We have treated 11 patients with neurogenic bladder due to SCI and 10 patients with spinal bifida with augmentation ileocystoplasty since 1989. The purpose of the treatment was to stop vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and/or amelioration of urinary incontinence. In 17 of 21 cases, the antireflux operation was received simultaneously. All cases performed clean intermittent self catheterization postoperatively. Urinary incontinence improved in all cases and only transient recurrence of VUR was observed in the follow-up term. Complications occurred in patients with SCI, but they could be treated conservatively. Augmentation ileocystoplasty is a good treatment option for contracted bladder or VUR, which occurs in patients with neurogenic bladder.

Recurrent vesicoureteric reflux due to ureterovesical fistula following ureteric reimplantation

Recurrent vesicoureteric reflux due to ureterovesical fistula following ureteric reimplantation

Failure of subureteral bovine collagen injection for the endoscopic treatment of primary vesicoureteral reflux in long-term follow-up

Objectives. To evaluate the long-term efficacy of subureteral glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen injection (GAX 35) for endoscopic treatment of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods. We prospectively studied 36 patients (58 ureteral renal units), 30 girls and 6 boys with a median age of 6 years (range 2 months to 18 years). All patients had primary VUR and were treated with a single subureteral collagen injection (GAX 35). The patients were followed up by voiding cystography. Results. According to the International Reflux Study Classification, we found the following reflux grades preoperatively: grade I, 2 ureteral units; grade II, 21 units; grade III, 28 units; grade IV, 4 units, and grade V, 3 units. All patients were treated with subureteral bovine collagen injection (GAX 35, mean volume 1.7 mL, range 0.7 to 3.5). All but 3 cases of reflux resolved initially. The mean follow-up was 13 months (range 1 to 108). After 37 months of follow-up, only 5 (9%) of 57 treated units remained reflux free. One unit was followed up for 17 months and also remained reflux free. Conclusions. These data suggest that a single endoscopic subureteral collagen injection is not effective in the long-term follow-up of patients with primary VUR. In the future, it will be important to determine whether the new, currently used, and soon be approved bulking agents show better long-term clinical results to prevent VUR recurrence than bovine collagen does.

Effect of transurethral collagen injection for vesicoureteral reflux in patients with spina bifida

The effect of endoscopic injection of collagen was assessed in spina bifida patients with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Endoscopic collagen injection was carried out for grade II or worse VUR according to the international classification. Twenty-two ureters were studied in 6 boys and 8 girls (mean: 14.4 years) who were followed up over a period of at least 3 months (mean: 5 months) after surgery they all had a negative preoperative skin test for collagen and were investigated radiologically and urodynamically. Cystograpy was performed 1, 3 and 12 months after surgery and thereafter once a year to detect recurrence of VUR. Anesthesia was not necessary in 4 patients. No adverse reactions occurred to the injection of collagen. VUR disappeared after 1 and 2 collagen injections in 17 (77%) and 2 (9%) ureters, respectively. The therapeutic effect of the single collagen injection showed no relationship to shape of the ureteral orifice, grade of VUR, compliance of the bladder, and presence of detrusor hyperreflexia. Endoscopic treatment of VUR with collagen injection in spina bifida patients is a simple and less invasive method. We obtained satisfactory short-term results by this method. However, since the risk factor of recurrence remains unclear, sufficient investigation of long-term results is important to determine the role of this method in the treatment of VUR in patients with spina bifida.

URETERAL TAILORING IN SITU: A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO PERSISTENT REFLUX IN THE DILATED REIMPLANTED URETER

Purpose We evaluated a new simplified technique for secondary correction of persistent reflux in a reimplanted dilated ureter. Materials and Methods Four patients a median of 3 years old with recurrent vesicoureteral reflux after initial reimplantation of ureters greater than 9 mm. in diameter underwent in situ excisional ureteral tailoring. Results Followup ranged from 15 to 27 months (mean 22). Within 3 months postoperatively ultrasound confirmed no ureteral obstruction, and at 3 to 6 months voiding cystourethrography revealed no vesicoureteral reflux in any case. Conclusions Our study highlights the surgical details and safety of this technique for preserving the vascularity of the reconstructed ureter and avoiding injury to the contralateral ureter.

POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE GIANT GRANULOMA AND ADENOPATHY: LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING SUBURETERAL POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE INJECTION FOR THE TREATMENT OF VESICOURETERAL REFLUX IN CHILDREN

The use of polytetrafluoroethylene as bulking agent for the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children has raised many concerns about the implant histocompatibility and the risk of migration of polytetrafluoroethylene particles. We report on 3 cases of long-term complications following subureteral polytetrafluoroethylene injection (STING) and an extensive review of the literature is presented. Between January 1993 and December 1995, 3 children (2 males, 1 female; 4, 7 and 6 years old), previously submitted to STING, underwent open surgery for recurrent vesicoureteral reflux. In 1 case a hard nodular mass, strictly adherent to the ureteral wall, was a foreign body giant granuloma. All patients demonstrated a heavy multinucleated foreign body reaction around polytetrafluoroethylene particles in the pelvic nodes. Many experimental studies and some clinical observations have demonstrated that polytetrafluoroethylene particles elicit a foreign body granulomatous reaction and have the tendency to migrate. Until the long-term effects of their presence are well known, STING should be carefully evaluated in children and young patients.

What Imaging Studies Are Necessary to Determine Outcome After Ureteroneocystostomy?

Purpose After ureteroneocystostomy we have performed renal ultrasonography within the first 3 months to exclude hydronephrosis, voiding cystography after 3 months to exclude vesicoureteral reflux and subsequent ultrasonography to monitor the upper tracts. This study attempted to determine those patients at risk for hydronephrosis or recurrent vesicoureteral reflux. Materials and Methods We studied the records of patients who underwent ureteroneocystostomy in the last decade at our institutions to find the incidence and degree of preoperative and postoperative hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux. Results of initial postoperative imaging were compared to radiological imaging throughout followup (mean 2.3 years). Patients with postoperative reflux were evaluated for risk factors that differentiated them from others. Results Excluding patients with neuropathic bladder or ureterocele, 167 underwent 278 ureteroneocystostomies at a mean followup of 26.5 months. Persistent vesicoureteral reflux was noted in 4 kidneys (1.4%) and contralateral reflux developed in 3 of the 48 cases (6.3%) of unilateral ureteroneocystostomy. There was no statistical difference in success rates among cross-trigonal, ureteral advancement or extravesical techniques. New onset mild hydronephrosis in 13 kidneys (4.7%) at the initial followup study (mean 1.6 months) completely resolved in 12 and remained mild in 1. No patient had progression of existing hydronephrosis and 1 had recurrent vesicoureteral reflux after initial negative cystography. Risk factors for postoperative reflux or hydronephrosis were preoperative dysfunctional voiding, preoperative hydronephrosis or scarring on sonography and postoperative urinary tract infection. None of the 88 patients without these risk factors had postoperative hydronephrosis or reflux. All patients with persistent, contralateral or recurrent reflux were selected using these criteria (p <0.003). Conclusions Complication rates after nontapered ureteroneocystostomy in children without neuropathic bladder are quite low. Mild postoperative hydronephrosis was not clinically significant in our patients. Children with abnormal preoperative ultrasound or dysfunctional voiding are identified as a high risk group for postoperative hydronephrosis or recurrent reflux. All other patients received little benefit from postoperative imaging, suggesting that further evaluation of this group is necessary only in the presence of a postoperative urinary tract infection.

What imaging studies are necessary to determine outcome after ureteroneocystostomy?

After ureteroneocystostomy we have performed renal ultrasonography within the first 3 months to exclude hydronephrosis, voiding cystography after 3 months to exclude vesicoureteral reflux and subsequent ultrasonography to monitor the upper tracts. This study attempted to determine those patients at risk for hydronephrosis or recurrent vesicoureteral reflux. We studied the records of patients who underwent ureteroneocystostomy in the last decade at our institutions to find the incidence and degree of preoperative and postoperative hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux. Results of initial postoperative imaging were compared to radiological imaging throughout followup (mean 2.3 years). Patients with postoperative reflux were evaluated for risk factors that differentiated them from others. Excluding patients with neuropathic bladder or ureterocele, 167 underwent 278 ureteroneocystostomies at a mean followup of 26.5 months. Persistent vesicoureteral reflux was noted in 4 kidneys (1.4%) and contralateral reflux developed in 3 of the 48 cases (6.3%) of unilateral ureteroneocystostomy. There was no statistical difference in success rates among cross-trigonal, ureteral advancement or extravesical techniques. New onset mild hydronephrosis in 13 kidneys (4.7%) at the initial followup study (mean 1.6 months) completely resolved in 12 and remained mild in 1. No patient had progression of existing hydronephrosis and 1 had recurrent vesicoureteral reflux after initial negative cystography. Risk factors for postoperative reflux or hydronephrosis were preoperative dysfunctional voiding, preoperative hydronephrosis or scarring on sonography and postoperative urinary tract infection. None of the 88 patients without these risk factors had postoperative hydronephrosis or reflux. All patients with persistent, contralateral or recurrent reflux were selected using these criteria (p < 0.003). Complication rates after nontapered ureteroneocystostomy in children without neuropathic bladder are quite low. Mild postoperative hydronephrosis was not clinically significant in our patients. Children with abnormal preoperative ultrasound or dysfunctional voiding are identified as a high risk group for postoperative hydronephrosis or recurrent reflux. All other patients received little benefit from postoperative imaging, suggesting that further evaluation of this group is necessary only in the presence of a postoperative urinary tract infection.

Endoscopic treatment of vesico-ureteric reflux in neurogenic bladder—8 Years' experience

During an 8-year period, 51 children with neurogenic bladder had endoscopic injection of Teflon (STING) for the management of 69 refluxing ureters. There were 21 boys and 30 girls (age range, 10 month to 16 years). Vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) had been present for a mean of 4.1 years, and severity distribution was as follows: grade I, 1 ureter; grade II, 5 ureters, grade III, 9 ureters; grade IV, 39 ureters; and grade V, 15 ureters. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 8 years (mean, 4 years). Reflux ceased in 57 ureters (82%); in four ureters the VUR recurred (9 months to 6 years later). Bilateral vesico-ureteric junction (VUJ) obstruction occurred in one patient, which required surgical correction 3 years after STING. These data suggest that for difficult cases of VUR in neurogenic bladders, STING is a safe and effective option and should be the initial treatment of choice. However, because of the possibility of late recurrence of VUR or obstruction at the VUJ, long-term follow-up is required.

Paravesical cystic retroperitoneal lymphangioma presenting as recurrent vesicoureteral reflux

We present a case of a retroperitoneal paravesical lymphangioma in a three-year-old girl and review the clinical, histologic, and imaging characteristics of these rare tumors.

Investigation on unsuccessful endoscopic operation for cases with vesicoureteral reflux

Endoscopic operation of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has several advantages such as less invasiveness and technical ease with the procedure and shorter hospitalization for the operation in comparison with coeliotomy, but the cure rate achieved by endoscopic operation compares unfavorably with that by coeliotomy. The unsuccessful cases of VUR by endoscopic operation were investigated to promote the success rate by endoscopic operation. Of 66 ureters in 55 patients 50 were successfully treated with the first operation, and 4 of 8 ureters with the second one. All 15 infants were cured, but the cure rate in females between 17 and 45 year old was significantly low (57%). An equally high cure rate was obtained by the endoscopic operation even in patients who had a high grade VUR, patulous ureteral orifices, an underlying neurogenic bladder, or episodes of urinary tract infection. All ureters were cured just after operation. The recurrence of VUR occurred in 19 ureters (29%) and 16 ureters were discovered at one month examination after operation, which indicates that olive oil dissolving teflon paste was partly absorbed to bladder tissue. Teflon paste shifted to internal urethral orifice in 4 unsuccessful ureters. Based on these findings, the endoscopic operation should be considered to be the preferred treatment among others in the management of VUR and the injection of sufficient volume of teflon paste into submucosal and muscular space of the bladder trigone could promote the cure rate.

Primary vesicoureteric reflux treated by antireflux ureterocystostomy at the vertex of the bladder. A 12-year follow-up and analysis of operative failure.

A total of 618 children with primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) were examined preoperatively and 6, 9 and 24 months after an antireflux ureterocystostomy of the vertex of the bladder (AUVB); 206 children were operated on bilaterally, so that 824 AUVBs were performed. Most patients had grade 3 or 4 reflux and only 5% had grade 2 reflux. Successful results were noted in 792 ureteric units; in 10 cases of post-operative stenosis and 17 cases of recurrent VUR a second AUVB was performed. The following causes of operative failure were found: obstruction of the submucosal ureter after tailoring (5 cases), stricture of the new ureteric orifice (3), necrosis of the terminal part of the ureter (2), submucosal ureter too short or too wide (12) and fibrosis of the detrusor muscle over the submucosal ureter (5); a success rate of 84% was noted after the second procedure.

Transureteroureterostomy in Spinal Cord Injury Patients for Persistent Vesicoureteral Reflux: 6 To 14-Year Followup

We did a long-term followup for spinal cord injury patients who had undergone transureteroureterostomy for persistent reflux after failed vesicoureteroplasty. Particular attention was paid to the complications that are unique to these patients and include the trapping of ureteral calculi, recurrent vesicoureteral reflux and bladder hypertrophy with vesicoureteral junction obstruction. Caution is advised in using this procedure in the spinal cord injury patient because of these problems despite the over-all success in maintaining the patency of the anastomosis.

Extra Vesical Repair of Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children

An operative procedure for the repair of primary vesicoureteral reflux in 51 children (83 renal units) is described, its merits are discussed and its advantages are stressed. Reflux was prevented in 90.2 per cent of the children and 74.5 per cent of the patients remained free of infection. No obstruction has occurred in our series as compared to a 5 per cent incidence rate in cases of uretero-neocystostomy. Our procedure is not recommended for megaureters with reflux or for recurrent vesicoureteral reflux.