Efficacy of Magnetic Resonance urography in detecting crossing renal vessels in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: An aberrant or accessory crossing renal vessel (CV) leading to the lower pole of the kidney is the most common extrinsic cause of uretero pelvic obstruction(UPJ) obstruction in a child and young adolescent.There is still controversy regarding there functional significance in obstruction Preoperative identification of such vessels may influence surgical management. OBJECTIVE: First aim is to determine the value of magnetic resonance (MR) urography in detecting crossing vessels in children with UPJ obstruction,comparing the data with postoperative findings and the second one is to evaluate morphologic and functional parameters in these hydronephrotic kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2009 and December 2012 we retrospectively reviewed MR urography records of one hundred and nine children with unilateral hydronephrosis at the University Children's Hospital. 68 (62.4%) were male and 41 (37.6%) were female,median age was 6.5 ± 5.7. Of the total number of patients, 30 (27%) underwent pyeloplasty, while 79 (72.5%) did not. The age at surgery ranged from 0.3 to 18 years (median 6.6 years). The indication for surgery was based on standard criteria (obstructed renal transit time with or without altered renal function of vDRF < 40%), and did not depend on the presence or absence of a crossing vessel.Consensus reviewes of the MR urography studies were compared with surgical findings. RESULTS: A crossing vessel (CV) was found upon surgery in 9 (33%) of 30 kidneys.On MRU, there was no crossing vessel in 21 kidneys, confirmed at surgery in 18. A crossing vessel was detected with MRU in 9 kidneys and confirmed at surgery in 6. Thus, the sensitivity of MRU was 66.7%, the specificity was 85.7%, the positive predictive value was 66.7%, the negative predictive value was 85.7% and the accuracy was 80%. There was no statistically significant difference in the detection of crossing vessels between MR urography and surgery (p = 0.004 and p < 0.01 respectively). Overall, MRU and surgery showed good agreement (κ = 0.524). CONCLUSION: Based on our results we suggest that MR urography is a reliable and safe diagnostic tool to determine crossing vessels in selected children with UPJ obstruction. Thus, MRU can substitute for other imaging modalities and provide detailed information about the morphology and function of the affected kidney KEY WORDS: Children, Crossing renal vessels, Hydronephrosis, Ureteropelvic function obstruction.

Buccal mucosa grafts for repair of stenotic catheterizable continent stoma.

PURPOSE: Different tubular structures have been used to create cutaneous catheterizable continent urinary stomas. The most common complication is stomal stenosis on the cutaneous end of the tubes. We present a variant of stomal stenosis repair that uses a buccal mucosa graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and March 2006 stenotic stomal repair was performed in 10 patients between 3 and 17 years old (mean age 6). A Mitrofanoff channel was created from a bladder tube in 4 patients, from appendix in 3, from ileum in 2 and from the ureter in 1. The procedure involved the removal of scar tissue and the creation of well vascularized dermal beds by skin de-epithelialization (epidermis removal). After that we formed 2 elliptical dermal flaps. Two elliptical buccal mucosa grafts were quilted to the recipient bed (the dermal flap) and anastomosed with the mucosa of the normal part of the channel. The flaps were joined, tubularized and sutured to the skin. An indwelling catheter was left in the channel for 2 weeks. Postoperatively the buccal mucosa was wetted with saline solution for 4 consecutive days. RESULTS: Followup was between 12 and 39 months (mean 22). There was no partial or total graft necrosis. None of the patients experienced repeat stenosis. The stoma was visible (uncovered) and the esthetic appearance was satisfactory in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of Mitrofanoff stomal stenosis using a buccal mucosa graft is a minor procedure. It is a good salvage procedure that excludes the need to create a new channel.

Is it reasonable to treat refractory voiding dysfunction in children with botulinum-A toxin?

PURPOSE: We present our results with botulinum-A toxin transperineal pelvic floor/external sphincter injection combined with behavioral and biofeedback reeducation in children with voiding dysfunction who had been resistant to previously applied therapies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight boys and 12 girls between 7 and 12 years old (mean age 9) with recurrent urinary tract infection, an interrupted or fractional voiding pattern and high post-void residual urine in whom behavioral, short biofeedback and alpha-blocker therapies had failed were included in the study. They were treated with botulinum-A toxin at a dose of 50 to 100 U. Botulinum-A toxin was injected transperineally into the pelvic floor and/or external sphincter in all patients. In boys the sphincter was localized endoscopically before injection (endoscopically assisted transperineal approach). Behavioral and biofeedback reeducation started 15 days after injection. RESULTS: Followup was between 9 and 14 months. All patients were without urinary tract infection and fever, while 5 were still on chemoprophylaxis. Six months after treatment residual urine decreased in 17 of 20 patients by 0 to 130 ml (mean +/- SD 45.75 +/- 32.17 ml, t = 6.360, p <0.001). Nine patients reestablished a normal voiding curve and 8 showed improvement. Three did not manifest any significant improvement. In 1 girl transitory incontinence resolved spontaneously within 48 hours. There were no other complications. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of botulinum is transitory. However, it can break the circle of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and the period when it is sustained can be used for retraining the patient in normal voiding. At this moment botulinum-A toxin is one of last options in refractory cases of voiding dysfunction.

Refluxing megaureter for the Mitrofanoff channel using continent extravesical detrusor tunneling procedure.

PURPOSE: We present a variation on the continent procedure using the refluxing megaureter for the Mitrofanoff channel, and its results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Mitrofanoff procedure using the refluxing megaureter was performed in 35 patients (valve bladder syndrome 15, neurogenic bladder 10, non-neurogenic bladder 10) between 1995 and 2001. Mean patient age was 5.9 years. In 5 patients the distal segment of the megaureter was used after nephrectomy, and in 30 patients the proximal segment of the megaureter was simultaneously reimplanted unilaterally. The distal segment of the megaureter was inserted under the detrusor close to the native hiatus, pulled through the tunnel between the unresected detrusor and the mucosa, and subsequently brought to the abdominal wall. The ureterovesical junction was left intact. RESULTS: In all of our patients we obtained sufficient length and good vascularization of both ureteral segments. Satisfactory tunnel length was achieved in 29 patients. In 6 cases the tunnel was elongated by dissection of the detrusor. Median followup was 37 months. Three patients had development of stenosis at the stoma level, which resolved with minimal revision at the ureter-skin level. Minimal leakage occurred in 3 patients, all of whom were successfully treated with anticholinergics. On routine followup no patient had signs of reflux recurrence in the reimplanted ureter. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our variant procedure expand the number of patients who may benefit from use of the ureter for the Mitrofanoff channel.

[Effect of treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction on occurrence of urinary tract infections in children with vesicoureteral reflux]. / Uticaj lecenja disfunkcije donjeg urotrakta na ucestalost urinskih infekcija kod dece sa vezikoureternim refluksom.

Correlation between lower urinary tract dysfunction, urinary tract infection (UTI) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is complex and well known. The impact of lower urinary tract dysfunction treatment on frequency of UTI in children with VUR was assessed in our study. Lower urinary tract dysfunction was diagnosed in 32 girls and 4 boys; 19 (53%) of them had VUR in 24 kidney units. All patients were on chemo-prophylaxis and were advised how to restore regular voiding and assume normal posture, in order to reach an optimal relaxation of the pelvic floor during voiding. Eight patients (42%) with signs of hyperactive bladder and/or small bladder capacity were administered anticholinergic-oxybutynin (0.2 mg/kg of body weight). Eleven patients (58%) with sign of bladder-sphincter dysfunction and/or residual urine volume over 20% were treated by alfa-blocker-alfuzosin (0.1 mg/kg of body weight). Four children with constipation were advised to use fiber-rich diet. During 12-mount follow-up, none had febrile UTI, and 7 (37%) had 1 to 3 UTI without temperature. In conclusion, conservative treatment of VUR should include chemo-prophylaxes, lower urinary tract dysfunction treatment, and treatment of constipation, what was confirmed by our study as well.

Classification of prepuce in hypospadias according to morphological abnormalities and their impact on hypospadias repair.

PURPOSE: We investigated the morphology of the hypospadiac prepuce to develop a classification of different prepuce types in hypospadias. We also assessed the correlation between morphology and vascularization of the prepuce and their impact on results of hypospadias repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 1997 to December 2001, 174 patients 18 months to 24 years old (mean age 49 months) underwent hypospadias surgery. The prepuce morphology was analyzed by evaluation of the prepuce skin distribution, development and deformities. The development and course of blood vessels were analyzed using preputial illumination. According to morphology and blood supply, different types were compared. Of 174 analyzed cases 163 prepuces were used for urethroplasty. RESULTS: Based on the predominant morphology characteristics and abnormalities, we classified the analyzed prepuces into 6 groups of A-"monk's hood" or "1 humped" (43 cases, 24.7%), B-"cobra eyes" (80, 45.9%), C-"normal" (intact) (4, 2.3%), D-"flat" (24, 13.8%), E-"v"-shaped (16, 9.2%), and F-"collar-scarf" (7, 4.0%). Cobra eyes and monk's hood prepuces had the most favorable vascular pattern for the creation of flaps, the prepuces while the "flat" and "v"-shaped prepuces had the most unfavorable vascular pattern. Mean followup after hypospadias repair was 34 months (range 24 to 48). Complications (stenosis, fistula diverticulum) developed in 8.9% of the patients after "cobra eyes" and "monk's hood" prepuces were used for urethroplasty and in 25% when "v"-shaped and "flat" prepuces were used. CONCLUSIONS: Morphological characteristics correlated with vascularization of the hypospadiac prepuce. Underdeveloped prepuces and those with unfavorable vascular pattern used for urethroplasty had a higher percentage of complications. In severe hypospadias the anatomical features of the prepuce have greater influence on the proper choice of 1 or 2-stage repair.

'Pseudospongioplasty' in the repair of a urethral diverticulum.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a technique for repairing urethral diverticula which includes neourethral reconstruction and increasing the mechanical support of the neourethra. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1995 and May 2000, 267 patients with proximal hypospadias underwent a one-stage penile skin longitudinal flap urethroplasty. The overall postoperative complication rate was 20%; a diverticulum formed in 24 patients (9%) and in all it was repaired. Diverticulectomy was carried out by de-epithelialization of excess diverticular skin, so that two subcutaneous vascularized tissue wings could be created. After re-establishing distal urethral patency and neourethral closure, the de-epithelialized diverticular wings were folded and overlapped to form a mechanical support for the neourethral ventral wall; this procedure was termed 'pseudospongioplasty'. RESULTS: There were no recurrences of diverticulum or any fistula formation. The only complication was urethral stenosis in two cases, which was successfully resolved by internal urethrotomy. CONCLUSION: Re-establishing patency and providing mechanical support are essential when repairing a urethral diverticulum. Our technique with pseudospongiosal tissue reconstruction during the repair represents a good alternative or addition to other techniques.

Enlargement and sculpturing of a small and deformed glans.

PURPOSE: We present 2 techniques of enhancement and sculpturing of a small and/or deformed glans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The small glans in primary or re-do hypospadias repair was enhanced by longitudinal double-faced island flaps incorporated onto the ventral side of the glans between the glans wings. The deformed glans, of small or normal size (with normal urethra or well functioning neourethra), was enlarged and sculptured by injection of hydrogel. Between May 1997 and March 2002, 27 patients underwent glans enhancement and sculpturing. Small deformed glans occurred after failed hypospadias repair in 10 patients, penile trauma in 3, hemangioma sclerozation in 2, primary hypospadias in 8 and normally developed penile body in 4. A double-faced island flap was performed in 14 patients, glans was enhanced by hydrogel injection in 9 and both procedures were performed in 4. RESULTS: Mean followup was 34 months for the double-faced flap technique 17 months for hydrogel injection. Satisfactory enlargement and esthetic appearance were achieved in 13 of the 14 patients who underwent the double-faced flap technique and 1 required surgical correction. Of the 9 patients who underwent either single or multistage hydrogel injection 8 had good results and 1 required partial removal of hydrogel after hypercorrection. The combination of these 2 techniques provided satisfactory results in all 4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Enlargement and sculpturing of a small deformed glans are challenging and difficult. A double-faced island flap and/or injection of hydrogel resolves this problem satisfactorily.

Vascularization of the hypospadiac prepuce and its impact on hypospadias repair.

PURPOSE: Only sparse data are available on the blood supply of the hypospadiac prepuce. We investigated the development and course of the preputial blood vessels, and applied the results of this study to surgery for hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 157 patients who underwent hypospadias surgery from October 1996 to December 2000 the prepuce was illuminated by a front and back lighting technique using endoscopic cold light and then photographed. Its blood vessel course and development were schematically presented. In 65 patients in whom the prepuce was not used for urethroplasty or penile body skin reconstruction the specimen was removed and its blood vessels were identified after injection with gelatin and Indian ink. The results of the 2 methods were compared. RESULTS: Based on the predominant blood vessels we classified preputial vascularization in hypospadias cases into groups, including 1-1 blood vessel predominant in 43%, 2-2 blood vessels predominant in 12%, 3-an H-like form with communication between 2 well developed blood vessels in 14% and 4-a net-like form with no predominant blood vessels in 29%. After comparing the results of the illumination technique versus specimen study in the same preputial tissue the illumination method was confirmed to be precise and easy to perform. CONCLUSIONS: Vascularization of the prepuce is crucial for hypospadias repair. Identification with high precision is achieved by the illumination technique. This method helps create the best vascularized flaps, whether longitudinal, oblique or spiral.