Evaluation of two surgical treatments of primary vesicoureteral reflux among children: A 15 years experience

Abstract

Aim: aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of two different surgical treatments of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on succesfull rate and patient outcome. Methods: Retrospective study on children with primary VUR and their surgical treatment from 1999 to 2014 in the University Clinic for Pediatric Surgery in Skopje. A total of 76 children (114 ureters) with VUR ranging from second to fifth grade were treated surgically, 44 patients (67 ureters) with an open surgical technique and 32 patients (47 ureters) with endoscopic treatment "STING" procedure. The following parameters were analyzed: duration of the intervention, duration of the hospitalization, the need for antibiotics and analgesic therapy and the need for blood and blood derivatives transfusion. The result of the surgical treatment was also validated. A good result was considered when reduction of VUR by 2 degrees with the endoscopic method or by 3 degrees in the open surgical technique was noticed. Results: Using open surgical technique, patients were hospitalized for an average of 9 days (range from 5 to 13 days). All children received double antibiotic therapy. The need for analgesics lasted for 3 to 4 days. 90% of treated children needed blood and/or blood derivatives transfusion. Success rate with this method was 93.8%. Endoscopic procedure was performed as a one-day surgical procedure. The average duration was 15 minutes. Single, prophylactic dose of antibiotic was ordinated. There was no need for blood and/or blood derivatives transfusion. The overall success of the treatment was about 70%. Conclusion: Open surgical procedure is used for more complicated cases, VUR grade IV-V or by previously failed. Endoscopic, "STING" procedure was commonly used for patients with VUR grade greater than 2, after previously failed conservative treatment, febrile urinary infection despite antibiotic prophylaxis and/or emergence of new scarring in the renal parenchyma. Patient assessment and decision for what method will be used must always be done individually for each child.