Surgery of pelviureteric obstruction in 101 children over one year of age

One hundred and one children over 1 year of age have had surgery for pelviureteric obstruction over an 11 year period. The common clinical features were abdominal pain, urinary infection or haematuria, but a number presented as an incidental finding. Less commonly, the patients presented with an abdominal mass or with hypertension. The diagnosis was usually made on intravenous pyelography (IVP) but in the latter part of the series, renal nuclide scan (RNS) and ultrasonography (US) were preferred. Ninety-three patients had a unilateral pyeloplasty, three had bilateral pyeloplasty and five had nephrectomy or heminephrectomy. Whereas initially nephrostomy drainage was used in the majority of patients after pyeloplasty, a trend away from nephrostomy evolved in the latter part of the series. With experience, the incidence of postoperative complications was also reduced and there was a reduction in the period of hospitalization. Clinical results were consistently satisfactory. Postoperative assessment after pyeloplasty was made by IVP and/or RNS and also US. A review of these investigations showed that RNS provided more factual information of the result when compared with the IVP.     

Ureteropelvic junction obstructions: prenatal diagnosis and neonatal surgery in 47 cases

In a series of 150 patients with congenital urologic disorders diagnosed in utero and managed in the neonatal period from 1980 to 1985, 48 cases were ureteropelvic junction obstructions. One was a false positive, and 47 were documented pyelocaliceal distension and retention; 12 of them were bilateral. Five cases had a spontaneous resolution. Three had a nephrectomy performed (destroyed kidney). Fifty kidneys have been operated on (Anderson-Hynes dysmembered pyeloplasty). Ninety percent of the cases are reported as clinically, biologically, and radiologically fair. Six percent postoperative complications are reported. The authors pointed out the great interest in neonatal repair of this condition, using microsurgical techniques without stent or nephrostomy. A comparison is made of the overall results with an identical series of older patients operated on during the same period.     

Multimodal management of urolithiasis in renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To report the largest single series of renal transplant patients (adults and children) with urolithiasis, assess the risk factors associated with urolithiasis in renal transplant recipients, and report the outcome of the multimodal management by endourological and open procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of all patients undergoing renal transplantation between 1977 and 2003 were reviewed. In all, 2085 patients had a renal transplant at our centre and 21 (17 adults and four children) developed urinary tract calculi. Their mode of presentation, investigations, treatments, complications and outcomes were recorded. Investigations included one or more of the following; ultrasonography (US), plain abdominal X-ray, intravenous urography, nephrostogram and computed tomography. Management of these calculi involved extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), flexible ureteroscopy and in situ lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), open pyelolithotomy and open cystolitholapaxy. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had renal calculi, seven had ureteric calculi and one had bladder calculi. The incidence of urolithiasis was 21/2085 (1.01%) in the series. Urolithiasis was incidentally discovered on routine US in six patients, six presented with oliguria or anuria, including one with acute renal failure, four with a painful graft, three with haematuria, one with sepsis secondary to obstruction and infection and in one, urolithiasis was found after failure to remove a stent. Ten patients (63%) had an identifiable metabolic cause for urolithiasis, two by obstruction, two stent-related, one secondary to infection and in six no cause was identifiable. Thirteen required more than one treatment method; 13 (69%) were treated by ESWL, eight of whom required multiple sessions; eight required ureteric stent insertion before a second procedure and four required a nephrostomy tube to relieve obstruction. Two patients had flexible ureteroscopy and stone extraction, three had a PCNL and one had open cystolithotomy. PCNL failed in one patient who subsequently had successful open pyelolithotomy. All patients were rendered stone-free when different treatments were combined. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of urolithiasis in renal transplant patients is low. There is a high incidence of metabolic causes and therefore renal transplant patients with urolithiasis should undergo comprehensive metabolic screening. Management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary approach by renal physicians, transplant surgeons and urologists.     

Nephrostomy tube drainage with pyeloplasty: is it necessarily a bad choice?

PURPOSE: Despite continued controversy regarding the optimal method of urinary diversion after dismembered pyeloplasty in children, we have treated the majority of our patients with postoperative nephrostomy tubes and no stents. We report our experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of all patients who underwent surgery for ureteropelvic junction obstruction from August 1985 to October 1998 and were treated only with a nephrostomy tube after pyeloplasty were reviewed for hospital course, complications and postoperative followup. All patients had a perinephric Penrose drain as well as a Foley catheter placed for bladder drainage. RESULTS: A total of 137 pyeloplasties were performed in 132 patients, including 5 with bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction, using only nephrostomy tube drainage with an average followup of 2.1 years. Initial nephrostograms demonstrated good drainage across the repair with no extravasation in 91% of patients. Subsequent nephrostograms revealed a widely patent anastomosis in the remaining cases. No patient had postoperative obstruction, or required secondary pyeloplasty or nephrectomy. Urinary tract infection developed in 2 patients (1.5%). Mean hospitalization was 4.4 days. There was a significant difference in length of stay in the last 5 years compared to that in previous years (3.4 versus 5.8 days, p <0.05) and hospital stay continues to decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Use of only a nephrostomy tube after pyeloplasty resulted in few complications and an open anastomosis in 100% of cases. Nephrostomy drainage not only serves as a protective mechanism, but also allows easy access for radiographic studies before removal of the tube. In addition, nephrostomy tube drainage does not prolong hospitalization and the tube may be easily removed on an outpatient basis without further anesthesia.     

Microscopic hematuria after blunt trauma. Is pyelography necessary?

Hematuria after blunt abdominal trauma is common with multiple organ system injuries, and many trauma centers routinely perform intravenous pyelography (IVP) on all trauma patients having any degree of hematuria. However, it has been suggested that many IVPs could be avoided if more selective criteria were used. To help determine the need for an IVP, we reviewed the records of 102 consecutive patients undergoing IVP after blunt abdominal trauma over a 17-month period. Twenty-six (25%) patients had gross hematuria. Of these, seven (27%) had abnormal IVPs, and two (7.7%) of those required urologic surgery. Seventy-six (75%) patients had microscopic hematuria. Of these, one (1.3%) had an abnormal IVP but required no urologic surgery. Thus, if IVP had been performed only when gross hematuria was present, then all surgically significant urinary tract lesions would have been recognized, and 75 per cent of these 102 patients would have been spared IVPs. We agree with others that microscopic hematuria alone is not an indication for emergency IVP in these trauma patients. However, gross hematuria or other strong clinical evidence of renal injury still mandates IVP early during the assessment of patients who have suffered blunt abdominal trauma.     

EXPERIENCE WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF SPLENIC INJURIES*

This paper reviews the experience of treating 128 patients with splenic trauma over a 10 year period. All patients were aged under 16 years and all except one had sustained non-penetrating abdominal injuries. The diagnosis was established at operation or by spleen scan or by angiography but the decision to operate was made on clinical grounds. Patients who were stable on admission or after initial resuscitation were managed expectantly. In patients requiring surgery for massive bleeding or for other injuries the spleen was repaired whenever possible. Only 29% of patients required operation and in three quarters of these patients the spleen was able to be preserved. Delayed rupture of the spleen did not occur in the non-operative group and septic complications have not been observed in any survivors. There were 14 deaths in the series, 11 from severe head injury and three from massive haemorrhage.     

Uretero-pelvic stenosis

In a prospective series of 66 patients with uretero-pelvic stenosis (“genuine hydronephrosis”) the clinical data and the results of treatment were registered. We found an estimated incidence per year of 5∶100,000 inhabitants. In the age group under 10 years there was a striking majority of boys. Routine antimicrobial prophylaxis was not given; only one patient had clinical urinary tract infection postoperatively, but bacteriuria in the nephrostomy catheter was frequent. Follow-up 12 months after dismembered pyeloplasty with postoperative nephrostomy showed 85% of the patients to be cured, i.e. with no symptoms and with normal drainage from the renal pelvis. In 5% of the cases (3 patients) the result was unsatisfactory. The technique can be recommended in the treatment of ureteropelvic stenosis.     

Clinical evaluation of pyeloplasty of ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Twenty-five of 34 patients who underwent pyeloplasty operation for ureteropelvic junction obstruction were able to be followed up for three months or more after operation. Postoperative results were compared in twenty-six kidneys of these patients according to clinical conditions such as age, duration of indwelling nephrostomy tube and splint catheter, operative method (one-stage or two-stage operation), preoperative urinary tract infections, preoperative grade of hydronephrosis and the postoperative period evaluated. Postoperative results evaluated at three months after operation, revealed no case with excellent improvement. At 36 months after operation excellent improvement rate was 46.7% and there was a significant difference in excellent improvement rate between these times. At 3, 6, 12 and 36 months after operation, improvement rate was 35.7, 55.0, 52.9 and 86.7%, respectively. At 3 and 6 months or more, deterioration rate was 29 and 0%, respectively. It is concluded that evaluation of pyeloplasty should be done at least 6 months after operation and even if renal function is stable at this period, more improvement in renal function can be expected at one year or more after operation.     

后腹腔镜Anderson—Hynes术在肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻治疗中的应用

目的介绍后腹腔镜Anderson-Hynes术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻的方法和初步经验。方法2006年3月至2007年12月，采用后腹腔镜Anderson—Hynes肾盂成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻患者11例，其中男性7例，女性4例，平均年龄27岁，重度积水8例，轻中度积水3例。结果11例手术均获成功，手术时间为120～300min，平均为180min，术中出血量为20～80ml，平均为50ml。术中术后无严重并发症发生。术后随访3～20个月，腰部疼痛症状均消失，复查B超有2例肾脏积水完全消失，其余9例复查静脉肾盂造影肾盂积水均较术前明显减轻，未见吻合口狭窄结论后腹腔镜Anderson—Hynes肾盂成形术治疗肾盂输尿管连接部梗阻技术可行、安全有效，对于有丰富腹腔镜技术经验的术者可取代开放手术。     

Long-term outcome of kidneys with initially poor drainage or no drainage following pyeloplasty

Summary Pyeloplasty for congenital ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction enjoys a 90–95% success rate. Although treatment of the failed pyeloplasty has been addressed in the literature, management of the poorly draining or nondraining renal unit in the immediate postoperative period has not received any attention. For this purpose the medical records of 33 consecutive children (37 renal units) treated by dismembered pyeloplasty between 1986 and 1992 were reviewed. All of our pyeloplasties were stented and urine was diverted via a nephrostomy tube. All patients underwent a nephrostogram following stent removal 1 week postoperatively. These studies showed poor drainage, or no, across the newly reconstructed anastomosis in 7 of 37 renal units (19%). The ages of these 4 boys and 3 girls at the time of pyeloplasty ranged between 7 weeks and 5 years (mean 22 months). In four patients, good drainage occurred without intervention by 2–4 weeks postoperation. In two patients, percutaneous balloon dilation of the anastomosis via the intraoperatively placed nephrostomy tube was required at 3 and 6 weeks, respectively. The remaining patient failed percutaneous dilation, necessitating a ureterocalycostomy at 9 weeks following pyeloplasty. The long-term follow-up for the entire group of 33 children averaged 30 months and consisted of radionuclide diuresis renography in 84% of cases or intravenous pyelography in the remainder. All patients had excellent long-term outcomes as assessed by comparison of the postoperative studies with the baseline studies obtained preoperatively. Our results show that kidneys with initially poor drainage, or even no drainage, across the newly reconstructed anastomosis following pyeloplasty can be salvaged with an excellent long-term outcome comparable with that of the group with initially good drainage. In addition, intervention was necessary in only 43% of renal units with initial compromise and was facilitated by the intraoperatively placed nephrostomy tube. We recommend that percutaneous dilation be done at between 4 and 6 weeks postpyeloplasty, as the waiting period was long enough to allow for spontaneous improvement without precluding a successful outcome if drainage failed to occur. Ureterocalycostomy was rarely necessary.     

Retroperitoneoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty for pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction in infants and children

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial experience of endoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty through a retroperitoneal approach in infants and children with pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen infants and children with PUJ obstruction underwent retroperitoneoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (mean age at operation 2.7 years, range 0.25-10). Nine patients presented with complications secondary to PUJ obstruction, including urinary tract infection, pyonephrosis and increasing hydronephrosis with impairment in renal function. The other four patients had recurrent loin pain secondary to intermittent PUJ obstruction. The patient was placed in semi-prone (for left-sided) or a semilateral position (for right-sided PUJ obstruction). The retroperitoneal space was entered via a 1-cm incision over the mid-axillary line and further developed using a glove balloon. Video-retroperitoneoscopy was undertaken using a 5-mm laparoscope. Dismembered pyeloplasty was carried out with the pelvi-ureteric anastomosis fashioned using fine polydioxanone sutures over a double-pigtail ureteric stent. RESULTS: The retroperitoneoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty was successful in 12 patients, while one with previous percutaneous nephrostomy drainage for pyonephrosis required open conversion because of difficulties in developing the retroperitoneal space. The mean (range) operative duration was 143 (103-235) min. All patients had a rapid and uneventful recovery. The drainage was satisfactory in all 12 patients on a follow-up scan. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty is effective and safe in infants and young children giving a good early outcome, although the long-term results await further studies.     

Routine Preoperative “One-Shot” Intravenous Pyelography Is Not Indicated in All Patients With Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

Background: To determine which patients need a “one-shot” intravenous pyelogram (IVP) before laparotomy for penetrating abdominal trauma.

Study Design: Over a 15-month period, 240 laparotomies were performed for penetrating trauma at our urban level I trauma center. Prospectively collected data included clinical suspicion of genitourinary injury, results of preoperative IVP, intraoperative findings, and operative decisions influenced by the IVP.

Results: Preoperative IVP was performed in 175 patients (73%). Of these, 71 (41%) had suspicion of a renal injury based on the presence of a flank wound or gross hematuria. The IVP was believed to influence operative decisions in six patients, all in this group. Each of these six patients had either a shattered kidney or a renovascular injury and had a nephrectomy performed with the knowledge that a normal functioning kidney was present on the contralateral side. No patient without a flank wound or gross hematuria had an IVP that was judged to be helpful intraoperatively. Preoperative IVP was helpful only in patients with flank wounds or gross hematuria. Nephrectomy was performed in two additional patients who did not undergo IVP, both of whom presented in shock.

Conclusions: Routine preoperative IVP is not necessary in all patients undergoing laparotomy for penetrating trauma. The number of IVPs can be safely reduced by 60% if the indications are narrowed to include only those stable patients with a flank wound or gross hematuria.     

Successful surgical reconstruction of ruptured renal pelvis following blunt abdominal trauma

A 25-year-old man with occult ureteropelvic obstruction presented with abdominal pain 3 h following blunt abdominal trauma. Isolated rupture of the right renal pelvis was promptly diagnosed and the patient underwent immediate pyeloplasty according to the Anderson-Hynes procedure. The patient made an uneventful recovery. One year after surgery, renal function was satisfactory.     

Haematuria after blunt trauma: the role of pyelography

This study is a combined prospective and retrospective review of 208 patients presenting with haematuria after blunt abdominal trauma. One hundred and twelve patients had an urgent intravenous pyelogram (IVP) with cystogram performed, while the remaining ninety-six were observed with serial urinalysis without any further investigation. Nineteen of the twenty-three patients with a positive IVP had gross haematuria and the remaining four had microscopic haematuria. Twenty-two of the patients with an abnormal IVP had positive abdominal signs, whilst only one case (with severe head injury) had no abdominal signs. In the 96 cases who were observed without IVP no complications occurred. It is suggested that if certain clinical criteria are observed most patients with post-traumatic microscopic haematuria can safely be spared an IVP. Indications for emergency IVP should include: gross haematuria or microscopic haematuria associated with abdominal signs or severe head injury or fracture of pelvis or spine. Had these criteria been observed during this study, 130 patients (62 per cent) would have avoided the risks and expenses of an IVP, and no significant urological injury would have been missed.     

Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty--the method of choice in the presence of an enlarged renal pelvis and crossing vessels

OBJECTIVE: Herein we report our experience of 49 consecutive pyeloplasties that were all laparoscopically performed with an intracorporeally sutured anastomosis. We describe the operative technique, complications and outcomes during a follow-up period of 1-53 months (mean 23.2 months). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients (28 women and 21 men) with a mean age of 34 years (range 6-65 years) underwent a laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty because of primary ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction with hydronephrosis in each case. The preoperative evaluation included an evaluation for pain, an excretory urography (IVP), renal scan and sometimes CT angiography to evaluate for crossing vessels. Follow-up studies included an IVP, renal scan and renal ultrasound 4 weeks postoperatively and every 3 months thereafter. Success was considered as improvement of the pain score and IVP (less hydronephrosis, visible UPJ and/or normalization of drainage) or absence of an obstructive pattern during the washout phase of a renal scan. RESULTS: There was no conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 165 min (range 90-240 min). Blood loss was negligible. Crossing vessels were noted in 57.1% of the patients (28/49). Postoperative hospital stay was 3.7 days (range 3-6 days). One patient had a leakage of the anastomosis on postoperative day 1 and needed to undergo laparoscopic repair. The mean follow-up is 23.2 months (range 1-53 months). There was one single late failure. This patient later underwent an open revision of the laparoscopic pyeloplasty. In all other patients (48/49), the obstruction was resolved or significantly improved. The long-term success rate is 97.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of dismembered laparoscopic pyeloplasties compare favorably with those achieved by open pyeloplasties with less perioperative morbidity and discomfort. We do believe that laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty with an intracorporeal anastomosis is the method of choice in the treatment of the UPJ obstruction in the presence of an enlarged renal pelvis and crossing vessels.     

Correction of ureteropelvic junction syndrome: Anderson-Hynes method of pyeloplasty with or without nephrostomy]

We report the last 50 ureteropelvic junction repairs (Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty) with a minimum follow-up of 6 months performed in our department. We describe the operative technique without nephrostomy in 40 patients and we look at the results in relation to a small group which had a nephrostomy for one or other reason (10 patients).     

Complications during the initial experience with laparoendoscopic single-site pyeloplasty

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (LESS) can provide cosmetic advantages to patients. However, LESS pyeloplasty and other reconstructive procedures pose substantial technical challenges compared to traditional laparoscopy. The impact these challenges have on the learning curves of these operations is incompletely understood. This investigation reviews the initial experience of an experienced laparoscopist over the first 28 cases of LESS pyeloplasty he performed, providing insight into the learning curve as reflected by changes in operative time and post‐operative complications over time.

OBJECTIVE

? To review our initial series of laparoendoscopic single‐site (LESS) pyeloplasties, focusing on 30‐day complication rates as an indicator of learning curve, and to define the expected morbidity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? The study comprised 28 patients who underwent LESS pyeloplasty by a single surgeon from October 2007. ? A chart review was undertaken to identify the complications that occurred within the first 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS

? The mean operating time was 197 min. ? Seven patients (25%) experienced a total of eight complications. Four patients required nephrostomy tube placement (14%) during the early postoperative period, two for symptomatic obstruction despite the ureteral stent and two for a urine leak. Another had urine leakage that resolved spontaneously after she went home with the surgical drain for 1 week. One patient (4%) developed a retroperitoneal haematoma and required blood transfusion and one had haematuria that prolonged hospital stay by 2 days. ? Of the patients experiencing complications, 71% were in the first ten cases. Only two complications occurred in the subsequent 18 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

? The LESS pyeloplasty procedure is a technically difficult, even for an experienced laparoscopic surgeon and the surgical challenges of this technique may translate to a higher complication rate for LESS than for conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty early in the learning curve. However, within a relatively few cases, the complication rate is similar to that of standard laparoscopic pyeloplasty. ? Additional follow‐up is required to determine the long‐term success rate.     

Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in children

PURPOSE: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction remains the most common obstructive uropathy in children. Although laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty was described in a child in 1993, there have been few reports of laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty in children. We report on a series of children who underwent laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction was firmly established in all patients based on history, clinical examination, renal sonography and scintigraphy. Laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty was performed using either 3 or 4 ports. Children were followed for urinary tract infection, and renogram was repeated at 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 16 children 5 months to 11 years old underwent laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty between July 2002 and December 2003. No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted. One child with horseshoe kidney had development of fever and tenderness on the operated side on postoperative day 4. A percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed and was removed 2 weeks later. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty in children is too new to assess long-term outcome adequately. However, our study reveals improved outcome in the short term in the form of improved hydronephrosis and improved glomerular filtration rate on renal scan, and resolution of symptoms in all children.     

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the newborn

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a common cause of hydronephrosis in infants. Newborns with severe obstruction often have marked improvement following correction; therefore early diagnosis and operation is important. From 1973 to 1983, 21 patients were operated on for UPJ obstruction diagnosed under 6 weeks of age. Six patients (29%) had antenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis. The remaining patients were diagnosed by IVP or radionuclide scan for palpable renal enlargment or for associated anomalies. Seventeen had unilateral and four had bilateral obstruction. Twenty-three pyeloplasties, one primary nephrectomy, and one cutaneous pyelostomy with subsequent nephrectomy were done. All pyeloplasties were dismembered, with tailoring of the renal pelvis. Postoperative renal function was followed with radionuclide scan or IVP. Postoperative complications included a single urinary tract infection in three patients and two bowel obstructions. One early postoperative death occurred in an infant with bilateral obstruction who developed congestive heart failure secondary to severe uncontrollable hypertension. There were two other unrelated late deaths. Documented functional improvement with minimal complications follow unilateral or simultaneous bilateral pyeloplasty in newborns with UPJ obstruction.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with hydronephrosis treated by Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty.

A series of 21 patients with hydronephrosis (mean age 37 years) underwent an Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty; a nephrostomy catheter was not used routinely. One patient developed urinary leakage post-operatively but this ceased following insertion of a ureteric catheter. Assessment was carried out after a mean observation time of 85 months. Clinical examination, laboratory investigations, urography and renography were performed pre-operatively and at follow-up. There was no evidence of stones or stenosis in the pelvis. Patients operated upon before the age of 30 years showed improved renal function. All patients had symptoms pre-operatively but only one had symptoms post-operatively. It was concluded that the results of surgical intervention in hydronephrosis are excellent, especially in patients aged less than 30 years.