Patricia Fleming

Long-term outcome based on the initial surgical approach to ureterocele.

PURPOSE The management of extravesical ureterocele is controversial. Heminephrectomy and recently recommended primary incision or puncture have high reoperation rates. We reviewed and compared the long-term results of these procedures with those of primary lower tract reconstruction for ureterocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed the records of 106 children with ureterocele treated between 1979 and 1997. Followup was available in 99 patients, including 72 with extravesical and 27 with intravesical ureterocele. Patients with extravesical ureterocele were divided based on initial management into group 1-13 who underwent transurethral incision or puncture, group 2-41 who underwent an upper tract approach, including partial or complete nephrectomy with partial ureterectomy or ureteroureterostomy and group 3-18 who underwent complete reconstruction, including ureterocelectomy and ureteral reconstruction with or without upper tract surgery. RESULTS Overall the reoperation rate in patients with intravesical ureterocele was 22% and 23% in those treated with initial endoscopic incision or puncture. In patients with extravesical ureterocele the reoperation rate was 100, 41 and 0% in groups 1 to 3, respectively. Differences in followup (overall mean 6 years) and the incidence of preoperative reflux in the 3 groups were not statistically significant. In group 2, the reoperation rate in patients with versus without preoperative reflux was 57 versus 20% (p = 0.08). Of the 25 prenatally diagnosed patients urinary tract infection developed preoperatively in 3 (12%) at ages 2, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Mean age at the time of the initial operation in all prenatally diagnosed patients was 3.1 months (range 5 days to 11 months). CONCLUSIONS Complete reconstruction appears to be safe and highly effective even in infancy for treating extravesical ureterocele. Although the primary upper tract approach is associated with a significantly higher reoperation rate, it is a favorable alternative in patients with no preoperative reflux. However, while transurethral decompression is effective in the majority of patients with intravesical ureterocele, it is not definitive therapy for extravesical ureterocele and it should have a limited role in initial management.

Bladder calculi in children who perform clean intermittent catheterization.

Objective To examine the role of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) as a possible predisposing risk factor for bladder calculi, assessing risk factors in patients with and without bladder augmentation, and to evaluate management options for bladder calculi in these patients.

Early Cystometrograms Can Predict the Response to Intravesical Instillation of Oxybutynin Chloride in Myelomeningocele Patients

Recent reported experiences with intravesical medications in neurogenic bladder patients prompted us to evaluate this form of therapy in 28 myelomeningocele patients who could not tolerate oral anticholinergic agents or did not have adequate control on these agents. A pretreatment cystometrogram was performed followed by intravesical administration of oxybutynin chloride, with a repeat cystometrogram 3 hours later. Patients then began twice daily intravesical oxybutynin for a minimum of 4 months. The mean bladder capacity increased by 41%, the mean intravesical pressure decreased by 47% and compliance improved. Five patients achieved continence and 62% had less wetting while on intravesical therapy. The immediate posttreatment cystometrogram was predictive of the response to intravesical therapy on followup studies. Unfortunately, patient compliance was poor, with only 13 of the 28 patients remaining on therapy for the duration of the study.

RESULTS OF THE RECTUS FASCIAL SLING AND WRAP PROCEDURES FOR THE TREATMENT OF NEUROGENIC SPHINCTERIC INCONTINENCE

PURPOSE We assessed the early results of the rectus fascial sling and modified rectus fascial wrap for treating neurogenic sphincteric incontinence in a pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent a rectus fascial sling or wrap procedure for neurogenic incontinence at our institution. Most recent status was confirmed by telephone interview as successful-complete day and night dryness, partially successful-occasional daytime wetting and/or nocturnal enuresis and failed-frequent daytime incontinence. Results were analyzed with regard to patient sex, associated bladder augmentation and previous or subsequent anti-incontinence surgery. RESULTS A total of 27 patients underwent 10 sling and 18 wrap procedures. Five patients in each group were dry after 1 to 4.5 years of followup. Six of the 7 boys were wet and 1 was partially dry postoperatively, while 10 of the 20 girls became dry (p = 0.026 Fishers exact test), resulting in an overall 36% success rate. In failed cases continence was achieved after periurethral collagen injection and artificial urinary sphincter placement in 0 of 5 and 5 of 6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Total continence was achieved even after a brief followup in a minority of patients in whom rectus fascia was used to correct neurogenic incontinence. However, our early data suggest that cases in which these procedures fail may be salvaged by artificial urinary sphincter implantation but not by periurethral collagen injection.

Long-term intravesical oxybutynin chloride therapy in children with myelodysplasia.

PURPOSE We evaluated the clinical use of long-term intravesical oxybutynin chloride in the treatment of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in children with myelodysplasia who could not tolerate oral anticholinergics. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients recommended for intravesical oxybutynin chloride therapy. A total of 12 girls and 18 boys 1 to 17 years old was recruited for study. Oxybutynin chloride (5 mg.) was instilled 2 times daily and pretreatment cystograms were compared to followup urodynamic studies. Duration of therapy was 2 to 26 months (mean 13, median 12). RESULTS Mean total capacity plus or minus standard deviation increased from 209 +/- 103 to 282 +/- 148 ml. (p < 0.01), mean safe capacity increased from 157 +/- 105 to 234 +/- 147 ml. (p < 0.01) and mean age adjusted safe capacity increased from 76 +/- 36 to 115 +/- 62%. Of the 29 patients who were incontinent 3 (10%) achieved continence and 19 (65%) reported a decreased use of sanitary pads. None of the patients had systemic side effects related to intravesical treatment. CONCLUSIONS We believe that intravesical oxybutynin chloride is a viable treatment option for patients with myelodysplasia in whom oral therapy fails.

FUNCTIONAL, SOCIAL AND PSYCHOSEXUAL ADJUSTMENT AFTER VAGINAL RECONSTRUCTION

PURPOSE We assessed the long-term functional, social and psychosexual outcome in children who underwent vaginal reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS We interviewed and assessed the psychological development of 16 women 17 to 28 years old (mean age 22) who underwent vaginal reconstruction only or in combination with other urogenital reconstructive procedures at ages 11 months to 18 years (mean 8.8). Psychological measures included the Beck Depression Inventory, Draw-a-Person test and Linkowski acceptance of disability scale as well as a standard questionnaire evaluating the sexual adjustment, social adjustment and ability for self-support of these women. RESULTS Mean Beck Depression Inventory was 8.5 with less than 9 defined as minimal depression. Mean acceptance of disability score was 83.9 (range 54 to 94), indicating that patients were well adjusted with respect to the disability. Functionally 10 women were satisfied with the appearance of the vagina, 4 were neutral and 2 were dissatisfied. A total of 12 patients had no doubts about their female identity but 2 had occasional, 1 had significant and 1 had chronic doubts. Of the 16 patients 12 have completed high school, 3 are still in high school and 1 has withdrawn from high school. Of the 12 women who have completed high school 9 are currently in college and 3 have completed college. Socially all 16 participants rated family relationships as good and 13 were at least satisfied with their social life. Of the 16 women 12 have had a sexual encounter, including 1 who did not achieve orgasm. Six women are involved in long-term relationships, of whom 1 is married. In regard to the future all patients believe that they will be independent and financially stable with a fulfilling career. CONCLUSIONS While women who have undergone vaginal reconstruction may be at risk for avoiding interpersonal relationships and sexual intimacy, we did not note this finding in our series. The majority of these patients were well adjusted to their physical condition, and had a high level of education and a stable family life.

URETERAL REIMPLANTATION IN INFANCY: EVALUATION OF LONG-TERM VOIDING FUNCTION

PURPOSE The advisability of early ureteral reimplantation in neonates and infants is controversial and to our knowledge long-term results are not available. We evaluated long-term voiding function after ureteral reimplantation in infancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1984 and 1993, 32 children underwent ureteral reimplantation in year 1 of life at our institution. Long-term results were evaluated in regard to surgical outcome, voiding function, urinary tract infection and the need for prophylaxis. Analysis of voiding function included family interviews, uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine measurement. RESULTS Complete long-term data were available in 14 girls and 7 boys. The diagnosis was primary bilateral and unilateral vesicoureteral reflux, and ureterovesical junction obstruction in 11, 4 and 6 cases, respectively. Of the 26 refluxing renal units overall disease was grade II in 3, III in 6 and IV to V in 17. Patient age at surgery was 0.6 to 12 months (mean 5.4) and followup was 5 to 13 years (mean 9.5). Tapered reimplantation was performed in 8 renal units using excisional or infolding in 5 and 3, respectively. There were no complications in 19 patients (94%), while 2 had postoperative reflux for which 1 underwent reoperation. In 13 patients voiding habits were normal, while 8 reported infrequent voiding (3 or fewer voids daily). In 19 of the 20 patients tested voided volume was appropriate, and the flow rate of 10.8 to 52.7 cc per second (mean 20.9) and post-void residual urine volume of 0 to 40 cc (mean 11) were considered normal. One patient with normal uroflowmetry had incomplete vesical emptying. CONCLUSIONS Early reimplantation may result in a high technical success rate and low postoperative morbidity in infants. After long-term followup infrequent voiding was common but noninvasive assessment of bladder function revealed no significant abnormality in the majority of patients.

Lack of morbidity from urodynamic studies in children with asymptomatic bacteriuria.

OBJECTIVES Patients on clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) have a high rate of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Although prophylactic antibiotics for routine surgical procedures in patients with bacteriuria is common practice, the role of prophylaxis for invasive diagnostic procedures remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the morbidity associated with urodynamic evaluation in patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria. METHODS Routine urodynamic evaluation was performed in 69 pediatric patients (mean age 10 years). Ninety-six percent had a neurogenic bladder, and most were on CIC. Routine urine cultures were obtained at the time of the cystometrogram. Forty-six patients had positive urine cultures, and 23 patients with sterile urine served as a comparison. Patients were evaluated subjectively for symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) within 1 week of the procedure. The results of the cystometrograms were compared between the patients with and without bacteriuria. RESULTS No patient developed symptomatic UTI after the urodynamic studies. Overall, 65% of the patients with and 52% of the patients without bacteriuria had adequate capacity and compliance, and there was no difference in the urodynamic findings between the patients with and without bacteriuria (P = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS Urodynamic studies were performed safely in the presence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the present study. Therefore, routine use of urine cultures or prophylactic antibiotics before urodynamic studies in pediatric patients with a neurogenic bladder does not appear to be indicated.