Does the endoscopic incision of ureteroceles reduce the indications for partial nephrectomy?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the endoscopic incision of ureteroceles reduces the indications for partial nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 1996, endoscopic incision was used as the first-line treatment of 18 children (13 boys, five girls, aged 8 days to 6 months) with a duplex-system ureterocele diagnosed antenatally (15) or in the first weeks of life during the course of a urinary infection (three). Of the 19 ureteroceles (one bilateral), four were intravesical and 15 ectopic, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics classification. Vesico-ureteric reflux into the inferior pole of the kidney was present in 10 children, seven of whom had an ectopic ureterocele. A functioning upper pole was detected by intravenous pyelography (IVP) in half the intravesical and in a third of the ectopic ureteroceles. RESULTS: Endoscopic incision resulted in decompression and reduction of dilatation in 16 cases; three with inferior pole reflux resolved on control cystography, whilst in seven with an ectopic ureterocele, reflux into the upper urinary tract was induced by endoscopic incision. In three children with an ectopic ureterocele, renal function had improved at 3 months, as assessed by IVP. Endoscopic incision was the only treatment for half the intravesical and six of 15 ectopic ureteroceles. Overall, nephrectomy was required in four of 18 patients (three partial nephrectomies for persistent dilatation and one total nephrectomy). Five nonfunctioning, undilated upper poles with no reflux were left in place. Nine vesico-ureteric reimplantations for persistent or induced reflux were carried out using the Cohen technique. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic incision can allow the deferral of nephrectomy, facilitate lower urinary tract reconstruction and reduce the indications for partial nephrectomy, if it is accepted that a nonfunctioning, undilated renal pole with no reflux can safely be left in place.     

Transurethral incision of duplex system ureteroceles in neonates: does it increase the need for secondary surgery in intravesical and ectopic cases?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relevance of ureterocele ectopia and associated reflux on the outcome of duplex system ureteroceles (DSU) after neonatal transurethral incision (TUI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 41 neonates with a diagnosis of DSU; the ureterocele was ectopic in 24 (58%). Before TUI, vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) was present in 13 lower moieties (32%) and seven contralateral ureters (17%). TUI was always performed within the first month of life. The follow-up and management were tailored for each patient from the findings at ultrasonography, voiding cysto-urethrography and renal scintigraphy. Results of intravesical and ectopic DSU were compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: TUI was effective in allowing ureteric decompression in all but one patient (2.4%). After TUI, VUR ceased in six lower ipsilateral moieties and in two contralateral ureters, while new VUR occurred in three contralateral kidneys. De novo VUR in the punctured moiety appeared in 13 cases (32%). Nine upper poles were not functioning. Twenty-one patients (51%) required secondary surgery. Ureteric reimplantation was indicated exclusively for reflux in the punctured moiety in only in two cases (5%), while in a further two iatrogenic reflux in a nonfunctioning upper moiety required total heminephro-ureterectomy. There was no significant difference between intravesical and ectopic ureteroceles in the occurrence of VUR in the punctured moiety, rate of nonfunctioning upper poles or need for secondary surgery. CONCLUSIONS: About half of the patients with a DSU need secondary surgery, but this is rarely indicated for de novo reflux in the punctured moiety only. The need for secondary surgery was greater whenever there was associated reflux before endoscopic incision. There was no difference in the outcome of intravesical and ectopic ureteroceles and such distinction seems no longer to be of clinical relevance.     

Obstructive ureterocele—an ongoing challenge

Ureterocele is a cystic dilatation of the intravesical ureter that is most commonly observed in females and children, and usually affects the upper moiety of a complete pyeloureteral duplication. According to their position, ureteroceles are divided into intravesical, when the ureterocele is completely contained inside the bladder, and extravesical when part of the cyst extends to the urethra or bladder neck. Most ureteroceles are diagnosed in utero or immediately after birth during an echographic screening of renal malformations. Severe, febrile urinary tract infection is the most common postnatal presentation of ureteroceles, but they may, rarely, prolapse and acutely obstruct the bladder outlet. Once an ureterocele is identified sonographically, a voiding cystourethrogram to detect vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and a 99m-technetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scan to evaluate the function of the different portions of the kidney are mandatory. VUR in the lower pole is observed in 50% of cases and in the contralateral kidney in 25%. Simple endoscopic puncture of the ureterocele has recently been advocated as an emergency therapy for infected or obstructing ureteroceles and as an elective therapy for intravesical ureteroceles. The rate of additional surgery after elective endoscopic puncture of an orthotopic ureterocele ranges from 7 to 23%. Treatment of ectopic ureteroceles is more challenging and both endoscopic puncture and upper pole partial nephrectomy frequently require additional surgery at the bladder level. The reoperation rate after endoscopic treatment varies from 48 to 100%. It is 15 to 20% after upper pole partial nephrectomy if VUR was absent before the operation, but is as high as 50–100% when VUR was present. Thus, endoscopic incision is appropriate as an emergency treatment or when dealing with a completely intravesical ureterocele. Upper pole partial nephrectomy is the elective treatment for an ectopic ureterocele without preoperative VUR. In an ectopic ureterocele with VUR, no matter which type of primary therapy has been chosen, a secondary procedure at the bladder level, involving ureterocele removal and reimplantation of the ureter(s), should be anticipated.     

Endoscopic puncture of ureterocele as a minimally invasive and effective long-term procedure in children

OBJECTIVES: Over the past years the surgical approach to ureterocele has evolved from complicated major surgery to minimally invasive endoscopic treatment. Because of the high rate of secondary surgery in some recently reported series, an upper pole partial nephrectomy is again recommended as the procedure of choice. We have retrospectively evaluated the long-term results of endoscopic puncture of a ureterocele and its long-term effectiveness and applicability in children. METHODS: Over the past 8 years, 34 patients (20 female, 14 male) were treated in our service with primary endoscopic puncture of a ureterocele. The mean age of the patients was 1.1 +/- 4.3 (mean +/- SD) years. Mean follow-up was 6.1 +/- 2.4 years. Antenatally ultrasound detected the ureterocele in 5 (14%) patients, fetal hydronephrosis leading to the postnatal diagnosis in 13 (38%), and 16 (48%) children presented with symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI). The ureteroceles presented as part of renal duplication in 31 patients (91%), 3 (9%) in a single system and 1 child had bilateral ureteroceles of a duplex system. Twenty (58%) children had intravesical ureteroceles and the remaining 14 (42%) ectopic ureteroceles. Very poorly functioning upper pole moiety presented in 26 (75%) of the cases and nonfunctioning upper poles in 5 (14%). Twenty of 34 children (58%) had initial vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) to the lower moiety, either to the ipsi (60%) or contralateral kidney (40%). A cold knife incision was carried out in 4 (11.7%), puncture by a 3-french Bugbee electrode in 20 (58%), and the stylet of a 3-french ureteral catheter was utilized to puncture the ureterocele in the remaining 10 patients (30.3%). RESULTS: Complete decompression of the ureterocele was observed in 32 of 34 children (94%). Two patients required secondary puncture 2 years following the primary procedure and are doing well. Upper pole moiety function improved postoperatively in 2 infants and remained stable in all 32 patients, no patient presented with deterioration of the renal function. Six of 20 (30%) patients who had initial VUR to the lower pole, accompanied with recurrent UTI, required surgery. Three underwent ureteric reimplantation and another 3 submucosal polytetrafluoroethylene paste (Teflon) injection. Eight (40%) patients presented with spontaneous resolution of VUR to the lower moiety following puncture of the ureterocele. An additional 6 (17.6%) patients developed VUR to the upper moiety following the puncture of the ureterocele, 3 after cold knife incision and 3 after simple puncture. In 2, submucosal Teflon injection solved the VUR and the remaining 4 patients were maintained on prophylactic antibiotics. In 1 child the reflux resolved spontaneously, and none of them presented with UTI. In 2 cases with nonfunctional upper poles, partial nephrectomy was performed due to symptomatic UTI in spite of complete collapse of the ureterocele 1 and 2 years, respectively, following the initial puncture. No difference was observed in the re-operation rate between the patients with ectopic versus intravesical ureterocele (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that endoscopic puncture of a ureterocele presents an easily performed procedure which allows the release of obstructive ureters and avoids major surgery in the majority of the cases even after a long follow-up.     

Common sheath reimplantation with ureteral plication: A useful technique for the management of ectopic ureterocele

BACKGROUND: When salvaging the upper pole kidney in duplex ectopic ureterocele, primary bladder level surgery with common sheath ureteral reimplantation has the definite advantage of allowing the reconstruction of the entire collecting system through a single lower abdominal incision. However, there are several complications associated with a common sheath reimplantation in a child with a very dilated upper pole ureter, such as vesicoureteral reflux or ureterovesical stenosis. METHODS/RESULTS: To avoid these complications, ureteral plication over the common ureteral sheath in two children with duplex ectopic ureterocele was used. Postoperatively, neither child showed reflux or recurrent urinary tract infection and both showed a marked improvement of the upper pole collecting system. CONCLUSION: This technique allows for a simple and definitive reconstruction in cases of duplex ectopic ureterocele, particularly with dilated upper pole ureter.     

Ectopic ureterocele: results of open surgical therapy in 40 patients

PURPOSE: The treatment of ectopic ureterocele is controversial. In addition to debate on optimal therapy, discussion exists on whether there is further risk of deteriorating bladder function after extensive bladder surgery during the first year of life, which is a reason to postpone surgery. In a prospective nonrandomized trial we treated 40 patients regardless of age who had ectopic ureterocele with complete surgical reconstruction of the lower urinary tract and upper pole resection of poorly functioning upper pole moieties at referral. Excluded from study were 3 patients with only 1 affected renal moiety initially. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 31 female and 9 male patients 0 to 8.8 years old (mean age 2.17) at surgery for ectopic ureterocele extending into the bladder neck and urethra, including 19 younger than 1 year. Primary ureterocele excision was performed in 37 cases with reconstruction of the urethra, bladder neck and trigone, and ureteral reimplantation. Because of small ureterocele size, the ureterocele was left in situ in 3 patients, leading to secondary ureterocele removal due to obstructive voiding and urinary incontinence in 1 each. A staged procedure in 5 neonates involved primary lower urinary tract reconstruction with upper pole cutaneous ureterostomies followed by upper pole resection or ureteral reimplantation a few months later. After bladder neck reconstruction in 16 cases colposuspension was also done to create a normal vesicourethral angle. All patients underwent clinical and urodynamic evaluation at least 1.25 years after surgery (mean followup 5.59). Patients who were too young for the clinical assessment of continence by January 1999 were excluded from study. RESULTS: All patients are continent. A secondary endoscopic procedure was required in 13 cases, including cystoscopy only in 2, scar incision near the ureteral orifice in 3, endoscopic reflux treatment in 4, ureterocele remnant resection in 2 and bladder neck incision for obstructive voiding in 2. Secondary open bladder reconstruction was performed in another case due to a diverticulum. Postoperatively only 1 or 2 uncomplicated episodes of urinary tract infection developed in 11 patients, while there were recurrent urinary tract infections in 4. In a patient with a preexisting loss of renal function a severe infection led to renal scarring. The voiding pattern was normal in 29 patients but 11 had dysfunctional voiding, including 5 with recurrent urinary tract infection. Urodynamic followup confirmed these clinical findings. Bladder capacity in these patients was relatively high at an average of 124% of expected capacity for age. We noted no statistically significant difference in followup parameters in patients who underwent surgery before and after age 1 year. Additional colposuspension in 16 patients did not result in any significant change in outcome compared with that in patients without this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with results in the literature, complete primary lower urinary tract reconstruction in patients with ectopic ureterocele appears to have better results than a staged approach with initial endoscopic treatment. Moreover, our study provides no proof that extensive reconstructive bladder surgery in neonates and infants leads to bladder function deterioration at a later age.     

Laser incision of ureterocele in the pediatric patient.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effectiveness of initial laser transurethral incision of ureterocele for relieving obstruction, prevention of infection and need for subsequent surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and imaging studies of 30 children with ureterocele treated between 1995 and 2000. Of 30 children 14 underwent initial transurethral laser incision of the ureterocele. Records and images were evaluated for mode of presentation, ureterocele location, thickness, and decompression, and relief of obstruction. The incidence of urinary tract infection, new onset vesicoureteral reflux, upper segment renal function and need for subsequent surgery after incision was investigated. RESULTS: There were 5 boys and 9 girls in our series. Mean patient age at presentation was 17.5 months. There were 12 patients who had ectopic and 2 orthotopic ureteroceles. Ureterocele was defined as thick if ultrasound measurement was 4 mm. or greater. Thick ureterocele was present in 4 (28%) patients. All patients had ultrasound evidence of decompression of the ureterocele and upper tract with 1 treatment. Urinary infection risk was 0.015 per month of followup after incision. Vesicoureteral reflux was present in 8 of 12 (67%) ectopic systems before incision and 9 of 10 (90%) after. None had resolved reflux during followup. Upper pole renal function was assessed by renal scan and/or renal ultrasound. Upper pole function or increased cortical thickness was documented in 9 of 11 (82%) patients. Endoscopic laser incision was the only treatment required in 4 of 14 (28%) patients, including 2 with orthotopic and 2 ectopic ureteroceles. Of 14 patients 5 (36%) had undergone definitive surgery and 5 were followed. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic laser incision of ureterocele allows a precise incision and decompression of the ureterocele with 1 treatment. Laser incision of ureterocele should be considered as the initial treatment in most patients.     

Bladder outlet obstruction after operation for ureterocele.

Two patients with ureterocele-induced bladder outlet obstruction are presented. In each instance, a broad-based diverticulum had developed in the floor of the bladder as a result of the muscular defect created by a simple ureterocele in one patient and an ectopic ureterocele in the other. This bladder diverticulum produced secondary obstruction of the bladder outlet during the act of voiding. Urinary diversion in one patient had been carried out because of bladder outlet obstruction and was being seriously considered in the other patient because of upper tract deterioration. After the correct diagnosis was established, reconstruction of the muscular defect eliminated the obstruction and reestablished satisfactory bladder function. Urinary diversion was thus prevented in one patient and undiversion accomplished in another, when the true obstructing nature of the bladder diverticulum was established and correct therapy instituted.     

CKD and bladder problems in children

Approximately 35% of children with CKD who require renal replacement therapy have a significant urological abnormality, including posterior urethral valves, a neuropathic bladder, prune belly syndrome, Hinman syndrome, or severe vesicoureteral reflux. In such children, abnormal bladder function can have a significant deleterious effect on the renal function. In children with bladder outlet obstruction, bladder compliance and capacity often are abnormal, and a sustained intravesical pressure of >40 cm H(2)O impedes drainage from the upper urinary tract. Consequently, in these conditions, regular evaluation with renal sonography, urodynamics, urine culture, and serum chemistry needs to be performed. Pediatric urological care needs to be coordinated with pediatric nephrologists. Many boys with posterior urethral valves have severe polyuria, resulting in chronic bladder overdistension, which is termed as valve bladder. In addition to behavioral modification during the day, such patients may benefit from overnight continuous bladder drainage, which has been shown to reduce hydronephrosis and stabilize or improve renal function in most cases. In children with a neuropathic bladder, detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia is the most likely cause for upper tract deterioration due to secondary vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis, and recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Pharmacologic bladder management and frequent intermittent catheterization are necessary. In some cases, augmentation cystoplasty is recommended; however, this procedure has many long-term risks, including UTI, metabolic acidosis, bladder calculi, spontaneous perforation, and malignancy. Nearly half of children with prune belly syndrome require renal replacement therapy. Hinman syndrome is a rare condition with severe detrusor-sphincter discoordination that results in urinary incontinence, encopresis, poor bladder emptying, and UTI, often resulting in renal impairment. Children undergoing evaluation for renal transplantation need a thorough evaluation of the lower urinary tract, mostly including a voiding cystourethrogram and urodynamic studies.     

Cecoureterocele. A case report

A case of cecoureterocele in a 22-month-old girl is reported. She was admitted because of recurrent urinary tract infection associated with fever and dysuria. Excretory urogram showed a left duplex kidney with hydroureteronephrosis of the upper and lower moieties. Although the left upper moiety was hypofunctioned, some excretion of contrast medium was noted. Voiding cystourethrography demonstrated reflux into the left upper moiety, and a prominent dilation of the bladder neck and the urethra. Bladder sonography demonstrated an ectopic ureterocele at the bladder neck, and it was diagnosed as a cecoureterocele by endoscopic examination. Left pyelopyelostomy, total ureterectomy from the left upper half kidney and open resection of the ureterocele were performed together with reimplantation of the left lower ureter using Cohen technique in 1 stage. At the operation, the left lower ureter was confirmed as a typical obstructive megaureter. Convalescence was uneventful, and postoperative excretory urogram revealed an improvement of the left pyeloureterogram. But the postoperative voiding cystourethrography showed a remnant of cecoureterocele in the urethra causing bladder outlet obstruction. Endoscopic incision of the remnant cele wall in the urethra resulted in marked improvement in voiding and complete resolution of urinary tract infection. A brief review of cecoureterocele was given.     

Intravesical Ureterocele Presenting Bladder Outlet Obstruction in an Adult Male

Large ureteroceles in adult males causing bladder outlet obstruction are rare. We report a case of a large intravesical orthotopic ureterocele in an adult male presenting as acute urinary retention. Incisional transurethral endoscopy was successful with decompression of ureteral end obstruction, enabling smooth urination immediately and no occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux.     

Surgical management of duplex ureteroceles.

We reviewed the cases of 95 children with duplex ureteroceles treated in this department over an 18-year period. There were 101 ureteroceles (6 bilateral). Diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Special attention was paid to newborns screened in utero. We always strove to preserve functional renal tissue whenever possible. In keeping with this goal, three surgical techniques were used: (1) upper pole heminephrectomy; (2) ureterocele excision, bladder neck reconstruction, and ureter reimplantation with or without cutaneous ureterostomy of the upper pole ureter; and (3) endoscopic ureterocele incision. Follow-up studies using x-ray and radionuclide imaging demonstrated satisfactory renal function in 86.6% of patients. These findings support a conservative approach to ureteroceles using endoscopic ureterocele incision as the primary treatment. Lower urinary tract reconstruction may be associated in cases involving urinary tract infection, obstruction or incontinence. Upper pole heminephrectomy should be performed only after functional evaluation following ureterocele incision or cutaneous ureterostomy.     

Clinical value of primary decompression operation for unilateral ureterocele with complete duplex system

PURPOSE: To assess a value of decompression operation for a unilateral ureterocele with a complete duplex system as an initial procedure. METHODS: We reviewed records of 33 pediatric patients with a unilateral ureterocele in a complete duplex system who underwent decompression operation between 1987 and 2000. We checked the patient operative age, followup period, position of the ureterocele, type of decompression operation, and additional operation. Furthermore we also checked postoperative vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in patients who underwent transurethral incision (TUI). RESULTS: Mean operative age and followup period were 6 months old and 82 months. Of the patients, 22 underwent TUI and 11 underwent upper moiety operation (UMO). In the TUI group, 14 (63.6%) had postoperative VUR and 13 (59.0%) underwent additional operations. These rates were higher in the patients with ectopic ureteroceles than with intravesical ureteroceles. Most additional operations were undergone for the patients with postoperative VUR in TUI group by lower complete reconstructions without UMO. All patients with non-functioning upper moiety underwent heminephrectomy at the additional operations. In the other hand, in the UMO group, 3 (27.3%) had additional operation because of persistent VUR which was found preoperatively in lower moiety or contralateral renal unit. CONCLUSION: TUI was useful approach as an initial procedure for intravesical ureteroceles because of low additional operation rate. For ectopic ureteroceles with functioning upper moiety, TUI was high additional operation rate, but it was more useful initial operation of two-staged operation than UMO because of avoiding UMO, like heminephrectomy, at additional operation. UMO was low additional operation rate for ectopic ureteroceles without preoperative VUR of renal unit excluding upper moiety. Especially heminephrectomy was a useful approach as an initial procedure if upper moiety was non-functioning.     

A 20-year experience with treatment of ectopic ureteroceles.

Between 1970 and 1990 a total of 37 patients (female-to-male ratio 3.6:1) was diagnosed and treated at our institution for ectopic ureterocele. Urinary tract infection was the most frequent mode of presentation (59%). Of the patients 54% were less than 3 years old at operation. Transurethral incision of ectopic ureterocele served only as a decompressive procedure for acutely ill infants and was followed with a high incidence (80%) of resultant vesicoureteral reflux. The elective surgical policy was individualized based on renal function and presence of vesicoureteral reflux. Overall results within the various groups were generally satisfactory regarding eradication of urinary tract infections, preservation of renal function and continence or treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Upper pole heminephrectomy and partial ureterectomy were performed in 14 patients with 3 (21%) requiring reoperation, including only 2 (14%) subsequent reimplantations. Thus, we believe that an expectant approach to the lower urinary tract is well recommended in the majority of the patients with a poorly functioning ipsilateral renal segment. A modified technique of total reconstruction, performing only partial ureterectomy with double barrel reimplantation, was successful in 7 patients.     

Surgical management of ureteroceles in children: strategy based on the classification of ureteral hiatus and the eversion of ureteroceles

Experience in the surgical management of ureteroceles in children is reported. Six patients with intravesical and 16 with ectopic ureteroceles are included. In the case of intravesical ureterocele of noneverting type. Transurethral distal incision of the ureterocele was performed without reflux. In the case of everting ureterocele, excision with reimplantation of the ureter was performed, thus avoiding reflux inevitably induced by transurethral incision. In the patient with an ectopic ureterocele, a one-stage operation with complete excision of the ureterocele and ureteral stump was attempted. Our choice of operative procedure was decided after the assessment of the following features: cystography and cystoscopy to assess eversion, type of ureteral hiatus (common or separate), whether there was reflux or not to the ipsilateral ureter, and renal function by scintigraphy. Accordingly, hemi-nephroureterectomy or twin ureteroneocystostomy were most commonly performed. When based on these thorough preoperative evaluations, our results were quite favorable.     

Impact of prenatal diagnosis on the morbidity associated with ureterocele management

PURPOSE: We postulated that prenatal detection of ureteroceles has a positive impact on the natural history and clinical outcome of ureteroceles in duplex system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 2000, 95 children underwent surgery for a ureterocele in a duplex system. We evaluated the impact of prenatal diagnosis in 40 cases versus postnatal diagnosis in 55 on morbidity, as measured by postoperative urinary tract infection and secondary procedures, while controlling for ureterocele type and the initial surgical approach. RESULTS: Mean followup in the 2 groups was 3.9 years. Preoperatively the reflux rate was 51% in the prenatal and 66% in the postnatal groups. Preoperatively urinary tract infections were less common in the prenatal group (12% versus 84%). Mean age at initial intervention in prenatally and postnatally diagnosed patients was 6 and 31 months, respectively. Postoperatively the urinary tract infection rate was double in postnatally diagnosed patients. Overall postoperatively reflux was similar in the 2 groups and grades III to V reflux with urinary tract infection accounted for 14 of the 21 secondary bladder procedures (67%). After initial endoscopic decompression none of the prenatally diagnosed patients with intravesical ureteroceles required reoperation, whereas 6 (50%) with extravesical ureteroceles required reoperation. All 10 prenatally diagnosed extravesical ureteroceles treated with partial nephrectomy were cured. Overall the secondary procedure rate in the postnatal group was higher than in the prenatal group (46% versus 20%, p = 0.02). Also, there was a difference in the reoperation rate in the endoscopic decompression group according to mode of presentation (p = 0.03) and a difference when comparing endoscopic treatment with partial nephrectomy in all patients (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal diagnosis decreases morbidity and potential adverse outcomes related to infection. Overall prenatal diagnosis is associated with a decreased rate of secondary procedures independent of the type of ureterocele. Prenatally diagnosed intravesical ureteroceles may be cured by endoscopic incision alone but for extravesical ureteroceles partial nephrectomy appears to be more definitive.     

Does prenatal diagnosis influence the morbidity associated with left in situ nonfunctioning or poorly functioning renal moiety after endoscopic puncture of ureterocele?

PURPOSE: We compared long-term morbidity associated with left in situ nonfunctioning or poorly functioning renal moiety of a duplex system in children with prenatal vs postnatal diagnosis of ureterocele who underwent endoscopic puncture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 children underwent primary endoscopic puncture of duplex system ureterocele. Of the cases 35 (73%) were diagnosed prenatally (group 1) and 13 (27%) postnatally (group 2). Median age at time of puncture was 4 months in group 1 and 3.5 years in group 2. A total of 20 patients in group 1 (57%) and 8 in group 2 (62%) presented with intravesical ureterocele, while 15 in group 1 (43%) and 5 in group 2 (38%) had ectopic ureterocele. A total of 20 children in group 1 (57%) and 7 in group 2 (54%) had a nonfunctioning renal moiety, and 15 in group 1 (43%) and 6 in group 2 (46%) had a poorly functioning ureterocele moiety. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was present in 23 children in group 1 (66%) comprising 30 renal refluxing units (RRUs), and in 12 in group 2 (92%) comprising 14 RRUs. Median followup was 9 years (range 1 to 15) for both groups. RESULTS: Preoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) was common in group 2 (92%) vs group 1 (20%). No patient in group 1 had development of UTI after puncture, while 23% of the children in group 2 presented with UTI. Four children (2 from each group) with ectopic ureterocele required secondary puncture resulting in satisfactory drainage. A total of 14 RRUs (47%) showed spontaneous resolution of VUR in group 1 compared to 3 (21%) in group 2. Four RRUs (13%) required endoscopic correction due to high grade VUR in group 1. Two RRUs (17%) were treated with endoscopic correction and 2 (17%) with ureteral reimplantation due to UTI in group 2. Only 1 patient in group 1 underwent nephrectomy due to nonfunctioning kidney, while 2 patients in group 2 required partial nephrectomy due to UTI. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal that prenatal diagnosis of duplex system ureterocele is associated with fewer UTIs, and early endoscopic management may decrease UTI and the need for additional surgery. Nonfunctioning or poorly functioning renal moieties left in situ following successful endoscopic decompression of ureterocele are not associated with additional morbidity and do not require partial nephrectomy in the majority of the cases.     

Lower Urinary Tract Reconstruction for Ectopic Ureterocele: What Happens in the Long-term Follow-up?

BackgroundWe aimed to analyze the long-term clinical and lower urinary tract function outcomes in children with duplex system ectopic ureterocele who underwent ureteroneocystostomy and ureterocelectomy.MethodsFifty-one patients (28 females, 23 males) who underwent a series of surgical interventions including lower urinary tract reconstruction in childhood for duplex system ectopic ureterocele in our center between 1998 and 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic and clinical data, surgical history, and the indication for ureterocelectomy were noted. Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) status was assessed through dysfunctional voiding symptom scores (DVSS) and uroflowmetry in all patients at the last follow-up. The clinical outcomes, and LUTD were evaluated.ResultsAt the last visit at a mean follow-up of 117.18 ± 57.87 months after ureterocelectomy, ipsilateral persistent lower pole VUR was detected in 5.6% (3/54 renal units, 2 females and 1 male) of the cases, who were treated using the subureteric injection. Abnormal DVSS (median 11, range 9–15) was detected in 27.4% (14/51 pts) of the patients. Out of these, 57.1% (8/14 pts) had storage symptoms, 35.7% (5/14 pts) had voiding symptoms, and 7.1% (1/14 pts) had both storage and voiding symptoms while 71.4%(10/14 pts) had abnormal uroflowmetry findings (plateau shaped flow curve in 2, staccato shaped curve with sustained EMG activity in 3, tower shaped curve in 2, interrupted shaped curve in 3 patients). Five patients had elevated residual volume. Anticholinergics were administered to six patients who had overactive bladder symptoms. In addition, two girls required open bladder neck reconstruction due to stress incontinence caused by bladder neck insufficiency.ConclusionsOur findings showed that clinical success was achieved using the lower urinary tract reconstruction with no need for re-operation in 90.2% of patients with duplex system ectopic ureterocele. However, LUTD was present in 27.4% of our patients in the long-term follow-up. Therefore, LUTD should be carefully assessed in the long-term follow-up of these patients.     

Emerging links between non‐neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic obstruction,metabolic syndrome and its components: A systematic review

We carried out a systematic review in order to determine the connection between lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to bladder outlet obstruction and metabolic syndrome with its components. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review and Web of Science from their inception until January 2015 to identify all eligible studies on the effect of metabolic syndrome (or component factors) on the presence or severity of lower urinary tract symptoms/bladder outlet obstruction in men. This analysis was carried out according to the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology guidelines. In total, 19 studies were identified as eligible for this systematic review. The quality assessment score was ≥50% in more than half of the studies (11/19). The evidence synthesis showed a positive association between metabolic syndrome, number of components and lower urinary tract symptoms/bladder outlet obstruction. In particular, the major endocrine aberrations of this connection are central obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. The links between insulin resistance and lower urinary tract symptoms/bladder outlet obstruction should be better investigated. Ethnic disparities in all examined studies showed a different impact of metabolic syndrome on lower urinary tract symptoms/bladder outlet obstruction severity and such influence still remain unclear. The relationship between metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms/bladder outlet obstruction open the way for introducing physical activity and diet as recognized first‐line interventions for treating lower urinary tract symptoms. However, this connection should be investigated in two different ethnic cohorts (i.e. Asian vs Caucasian) in order to better understand the impact of ethnic disparities on metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms/bladder outlet obstruction severity.     

The modern endoscopic approach to ureterocele

PURPOSE: During the last 20 years the surgical approach to ureterocele has evolved from major open surgery to minimally invasive endoscopic puncture. We believe that the endoscopic approach decreases the need for open surgical procedures. We identified specific factors that predict the need for repeat surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 60 new patients with ureterocele treated with primary endoscopic incision between 1991 and 1995. Followup ranged from 4 to 62 months (mean 20). Mode of presentation, ureterocele location, associated vesicoureteral reflux and association of the ureterocele with a duplex system were evaluated. Ureterocele wall thickness was assessed subjectively via radiographic and cystoscopic methods, and categorized as thin, intermediate and thick. RESULTS: All 9 patients with a single system ureterocele had an intravesical ureterocele. No patient had associated reflux nor did any require a secondary open procedure. In 3 cases new onset ipsilateral reflux into the ureterocele spontaneously resolved. Of the 51 patients with a duplex system and associated ureterocele 19 (37%) required a secondary open procedure. The ureterocele was intravesical and ectopic in 22 (43%) and 29 (57%) cases, respectively. Reflux was associated with the ureterocele in 27 patients (53%), and 12 (44%) required a secondary open procedure. A total of 11 patients underwent ureteral reimplantation of 15 refluxing renal units and only 2 renal units required ureteral tapering. Reflux is no longer present in 14 of the 15 renal units (93%). Patients with a thick walled ureterocele required repeat puncture more frequently than those with a nonthick ureterocele. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of modern endoscopic techniques children with intravesical and single system ureteroceles require secondary open surgery less frequently than those with ectopic and duplex system ureteroceles. The mode of presentation does not predict the need for a repeat open procedure. Thick walled ureteroceles require repeat endoscopic puncture more frequently than thin and intermediate walled ureteroceles.