Management of Nephrolithiasis After Cohen Cross-Trigonal and Glenn-Anderson Advancement Ureteroneocystostomy

"Urinary tract dilatation and vesicoureteral reflux - Adult outcomes, who should be followed, and how to follow them"

Long-term adult outcomes of children diagnosed with urinary tract dilatation (UTD) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) are not clearly documented in the literature. Likewise, follow-up protocols for these patients as they transition through adolescence and into adulthood vary with institution and cultures. Several studies have shown that individuals diagnosed with VUR in childhood are at higher risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) throughout their lives, even in the setting of prior VUR resolution or surgical correction. This is particularly relevant in patients with renal scarring, who are at higher risk of UTIs, hypertension and renal function deterioration in pregnancy. The risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy are higher for women with significant chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients who underwent endoscopic injection or reimplantation should be counselled on the long-term particular risks associated with each intervention, including calcification of ureteric injection mounds, and the potential challenges of future endoscopic procedures following reimplantation. Although there is no evidence for the direct correlation between conservatively managed UTD in childhood, and symptomatic UTD diagnosed in adulthood, all patients should be aware of the long-term risks of persistent upper tract dilatation. Lastly, bladder-bowel dysfunction (BBD) management in adolescence can be more challenging and may contribute to symptomatic recurrence in this age group.

Vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation with a modified Glenn-Anderson technique for vesicoureteral reflux

INTRODUCTION

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), commonly referred to as urinary reflux, is one of the most common congenital urological anomaly to occur during childhood. Historically, open vesicoureteral reimplantation has been the gold standard in the surgical treatment of VUR. Currently, vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation is used as a minimally invasive alternative to open ureteral reimplantation. Most vesicoscopic procedures are performed using the transtrigonal Cohen technique. As a non-transtrigonal technique, the vesicoscopic Politano-Leadbetter technique is also performed, but requires dissection outside the bladder under a narrow surgical field, and in boy carries a risk of vas deferens injury.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated surgical outcomes and perioperative findings for vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation using a modified Glenn-Anderson technique in children with VUR.

STUDY DESIGN

Eighteen consecutive children who underwent vesicoureteral ureteral reimplantation using a modified Glenn-Anderson technique were included in this study. The surgical procedure was explained and surgical outcomes and perioperative findings were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients comprised 9 boys and 9 girls with 29 cases of ureteral reflux (7 unilateral cases, 11 bilateral cases). All procedures were performed laparoscopically, with no cases requiring conversion to open surgery. Median operative time was 143 min for unilateral VUR and 194 min for bilateral VUR. Only one case showed a complication (Clavien-Dindo grade 1). The remaining 17 cases showed no complications, with removal of the urethral catheter and discharge 2 days postoperatively. Seventeen of the 18 cases underwent postoperative voiding cystourethrography, showing no VUR in all cases.

DISCUSSION

Vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery, with most procedures performed using a transtrigonal Cohen technique. Regardless of whether the surgery is open or laparoscopic, a disadvantage of the Cohen technique is that postoperative transureteral treatment may not be possible. The Politano-Leadbetter technique has been reported as a non-transtrigonal technique. However, this requires dissection outside the bladder under a narrow surgical field, and carries a risk of vas deferens injury in boys. In this study, vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation using a modified Glenn-Anderson technique provided good surgical outcomes with minimal perioperative complications and easy manipulation under a wide field of view.

CONCLUSION

Although many minimally invasive treatments are available, vesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation using a modified Glenn-Anderson technique is safe and effective for patients with VUR 4 years old. To demonstrate the further utility of this procedure, long-term outcomes and safety evaluations are needed in a larger number of cases.

Current trends in 2021 in surgical management of vesico-ureteral reflux in pediatric patients: results of a multicenter international survey on 552 patients

BACKGROUND

The selection of best surgical approach for treatment of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) in the pediatric population remains debated. This study aimed to report the results of a multicenter survey about the current trends in surgical management of pediatric VUR.

METHODS

An online questionnaire-based survey was performed, with participation of six international institutions. All children (age <18 years) affected by primary III-V grade VUR, who were operated over the last 5 years, were included. The incidence of each VUR intervention, patients' demographics and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 552 patients (331 girls), with a median age of 4.6 years (range 0.5-17.6), were included. Deflux^® injection (STING) was the most common technique (70.1%). The multicenter success rate after single treatment was significantly lower after STING (74.4%) compared with the other treatments (P=0.001). Persistent VUR rate was significantly higher after STING (10.8%) compared with the other treatments (P=0.03). Choosing endoscopy over surgery mean reducing Clavien Dindo grade 2 complications by 5% but increasing redo procedure rate by 7%. STING was the most cost-effective option.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey confirmed that the choice of the technique remains based on surgeon's preference. Deflux^® injection currently represents the first line therapy for primary VUR in children and the role of surgical ureteral reimplantation is significantly reduced. STING reported acceptable success rate, less postoperative complications and lower costs but higher failure and re-operation rates and related costs compared with the other surgical approaches. The adoption of laparoscopy and robotics over open reimplantation remains still limited.

Successful percutaneous flexible ureteroscopy for treatment of distal ureteral stones under modified Valdivia position after Cohen reimplantation

Introduction

Endoscopic retrograde access to the upper urinary tract after Cohen reimplantation for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children is usually difficult.

Case presentation

We experienced a case involving a few large ureteral stones in the right distal ureter after Cohen reimplantation. We initially failed retrograde access using flexible cystoscope. Therefore, we performed antegrade flexible ureteroscopy through the 10- to 12-Fr access sheath from the middle calyx to treat the few ureteral stones (>1.5 cm) in the right ureter with the patient in the modified Valdivia position. This one-stage procedure was successful. The patient achieved a stone-free status without major complications.

Conclusion

The herein-described approach that was implemented after Cohen reimplantation was successful. We believe that recent endourologic developments contributed to the good outcome in this case.

A Simple and Novel Method to Attain Retrograde Ureteral Access after Previous Cohen Cross-Trigonal Ureteral Reimplantation

Objective

To describe a simple, novel method to achieve ureteric access in the Cohen crossed reimplanted ureter, which will allow retrograde working access via the conventional transurethral method.

Materials and Methods

Under cystoscopic vision, suprapubic needle puncture was performed. The needle was directed (bevel facing) towards the desired ureteric orifice (UO). A guidewire (with a floppy-tip) was then inserted into the suprapubic needle passing into the bladder, and then easily passed into the crossed-reimplanted UO. The distal end of the guidewire was then removed through the urethra with cystoscopic grasping forceps. The straightened ureter then easily facilitated ureteroscopy access, retrograde pyelogram studies, and JJ stent insertion in a conventional transurethral method.

Results

The UO and ureter were aligned in a more conventional orthotopic course, to allow for conventional transurethral working access.

Conclusion

A novel method to access the Cohen crossed reimplanted ureter was described. All previously published methods of accessing the crossed ureter were critically appraised.

Modern flexible ureteroscopy in Cohen cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantations

PURPOSE

We describe a feasible flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) technique with the latest instruments to and to discuss their advantages.

METHODS

Three patients underwent a fURS for stone treatment. A 7F angled orifice catheter and a hydrophilic angled tip stiff wire is used to guide the wire in the proper ureteral direction sighting the ureter allowing the use of a 10/12 ureteral access sheath. A single use ureteroscope was used.

RESULTS

All of them had successful ureteral access and laser lithotripsy being stone free endoscopically. No complications reported.

CONCLUSION

The modern fURS technique was found feasible and safe in patients with cross-trigonal ureteroneocystostomy.

Retrospective study to determine the short-term outcomes of a modified pneumovesical Glenn-Anderson procedure for treating primary obstructing megaureter

INTRODUCTION

Primary obstructive ureter (POM) is an upper urinary tract malformation in children. Transvesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation is increasingly being used as the first choice to correct POM, replacing the open extravesical approach. Although several procedures have been reported, there is no universally accepted technique for endoscopic ureteral reimplantation.

OBJECTIVE

To report on several modifications of the Glenn-Anderson ureteral advancement technique to make it suitable for a laparoscopic pneumovesical approach to treatment of POM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From February 2006 to December 2013, 63 children with POM, 45 male and 18 female (median age 4.2 years; range 2 months-14 years), underwent modified transvesicoscopic ureteral implantation surgery. The technique was modified by repositioning of the hiatus proximally to afford greater "tunnel" length, and use of a trough rather than a tunnel, avoiding the challenges of more adherent mucosa in the trigone. Ureter diameter was followed over a 12-month period post surgery. Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), intravenous urogram (IVU), or radionuclide imaging were conducted in patients who still had ureteral dilation at 6 months and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The procedure was successfully performed in 62/63 patients. The mean operating time was 105 min. Twelve months after surgery 90% of ureters were considered cured and 10% were considered improved. In patients who showed improvement ureters, the ureter diameter was significantly reduced from preoperative measurements as early as 1 month post surgery.

DISCUSSION

The Glenn-Anderson technique advances the ureteral orifice distal to the trigone near the bladder neck and allows relatively easy access to the upper urinary tract. However, the submucosal tunnel produced is relatively short, and the surgery is not recommended for patients with a small trigone or megaureter because of anatomical considerations. This study made two major modifications to the traditional Glenn-Anderson procedure: (1) the bladder wall was incised superiorolaterally to move the hiatus proximally along the course of the ureter and the detrusor muscle was sutured to the seromuscular layer of the ureter, and (2) a mucosal groove rather than tunnel was used for advancement from the ureteral hiatus to the bladder neck. This approach preserves conventional endourologic access to the upper tracts; however, the stabilizing distal stitch does leave the suture line in proximity to the mucosal suture line, a theoretical disadvantage from the standpoint of ureterovesical fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary results indicate that this modified transvesicoscopic ureteral implantation is an effective procedure with minimal morbidity.

Ureteroscopy for treatment of upper urinary tract stones in children: technical considerations

The incidence of pediatric urolithiasis is increasing. While many smaller stones may pass spontaneously, surgical therapy is sometimes warranted. Surgical options include shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and open surgery. Ureteroscopy represents a minimally invasive approach, and it is increasingly being used to treat pediatric upper tract calculi. Ureteroscopy is performed under anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance, with basket extraction or lithotripsy of the calculi. Technical considerations include active or passive ureteral dilatation, the use of ureteral access sheaths for larger stone burdens, and post-operative stent placement. The current pediatric literature suggests high success rates (equal to or surpassing shock wave lithotripsy) and low complication rates. However, concerns remain regarding feasibility in patients with variant anatomies and risk due to intra-operative radiation exposure.

A modified technique for ureteral reimplantation: intravesical detrusorrhaphy

PURPOSE

To describe the surgical procedure of intravesical detrusorrhaphy, a modified technique of ureteral reimplantation, and report our initial experience.

METHODS

From October 2007 to March 2012, 55 children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and 13 children with obstructive megaureter (OM) underwent intravesical detrusorrhaphy. All surgical procedures were performed via an open intravesical approach. The ureter was mobilized, and the bladder mucosa was separated from the detrusor in a cephalad direction. The separated detrusor was incised vertically and repaired underneath the mobilized ureter to create the submucosal tunnel. The ureteral orifice was anastomosed to its orthotopic position.

RESULTS

Of 31 patients treated with bilateral intravesical detrusorrhaphy, no patient had postoperative urinary retention. Follow-up voiding cystourethrography was performed in 45 patients with 72 reimplanted ureters. VUR was resolved in 41 patients (91.1%) with 68 ureters (94.4%). Among 13 patients with 14 ureters treated for OM, hydroureteronephorosis improved in 11 patients (84.6%) with 12 ureters (85.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravesical detrusorrhaphy is modified technique of ureteral reimplantation, which recreates the neo-ureteric orifice in the orthotopic position and does not produce postoperative urinary retention in bilateral cases. Intravesical detrusorrhaphy is safe and effective in treating patients with VUR or OM.

[Primary vesicoureteral reflux]

The never ending discussion about the diagnostics and treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) now includes arguments for diagnostic nihilism as well as invasive diagnostics and therapy, which is reminiscent of the debate on prostate cancer in adulthood. The common goal of all currently competing diagnostic strategies and approaches is the prevention of renal scars by the most effective and least burdensome approach. There is a difference between acquired pyelonephritic scars with VUR (acquired reflux nephropathy) and congenital reflux nephropathy (primary dysplasia) which cannot be influenced by any therapy.The VUR can be verified by conventional radiological voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), by urosonography, radionuclide cystography or even by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The guidelines of the European Association of Urology/European Society for Paediatric Urology (EAU/ESPU) recommend radiological screening for VUR after the first febrile urinary tract infection. Significant risk factors in patients with VUR are recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) and parenchymal scarring and the patients should undergo patient and risk-adapted therapy. Infants with dilating reflux have a higher risk of renal scarring than those without dilatation of the renal pelvis. Bladder dysfunction or dysfunctional elimination syndrome represents a well-known but previously neglected risk factor in combination with VUR and should be treated prior to any surgical intervention as far as is possible.Certainly not every patient with VUR needs therapy. The current treatment strategies take into account age and gender, the presence of dysplastic or pyelonephritic renal scars, the clinical symptoms, bladder dysfunction and frequency and severity of recurrent UTI as criteria for the therapy decision. The use of an antibacterial prophylaxis as well as the duration is controversially discussed. Endoscopic therapy can be a good alternative to antibacterial prophylaxis or a surveillance strategy in patients with low grade VUR. In patients with dilating VUR and given indications for surgery, endoscopic treatment can be offered. However, parents should be completely informed about the significantly lower success rate of endoscopic therapy compared to open surgical procedures. The open surgical techniques guarantee the highest success rates and should be used in patients with a dilating VUR and high risk of renal damage.

A new technique for retrograde flexible ureteroscopy after Cohen cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation

PURPOSE

Retrograde ureteral access after cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation can be challenging. We present our experience with retrograde ureteral catheterization and flexible ureteroscopy after Cohen cross-trigonal reimplantation in patients presenting with ureteral stones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cystoscopy is performed and a Tiemann ureteral catheter is inserted into the involved ureteral orifice. A retrograde ureterography is performed and hydrophilic guide wire is passed up to the kidney. A dual-lumen ureteral access sheath is then passed under x-ray control underneath the ureteral stone. The flexible ureterorenoscope is passed under x-ray control up to the stone which is then fragmented with a holmium laser.

RESULTS

From June 2006 to June 2010, this technique was successful in 8 patients without acute or delayed sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Where the endourological expertise is readily available, the ureter can be accessed retrogradely even after Cohen cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation in a safe, straightforward and effective modality.

Pediatric urolithiasis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review the recent literature on pediatric urolithiasis and present up-to-date findings on epidemiology, diagnosis, and medical and surgical management.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are surprisingly few reliable data on pediatric urolithiasis incidence, but widespread anecdotal and single-center reports suggest that more children with stones are being seen. The contamination of Chinese infant formula with melamine caused urolithiasis and other renal problems in hundreds of thousands of infants in the region, underlining the role of environmental factors in urolithiasis. Efforts continue to determine normal metabolic parameters in children, but have been hampered by variations among regions, races, and ethnicities. The Bonn Risk Index may prove to be a useful tool for assessing risk of urolithiasis in children. Children with recurrent urolithiasis are more likely to have detectable metabolic abnormalities. Surgical approaches to urolithiasis in children continue to evolve, with robotic-assisted laparoscopy being perhaps the most significant new technique. Finally, clinicians and radiologists must be aware of the potential for dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Deflux) implants to mimic distal ureteral stones on computed tomography (CT) scan.

SUMMARY

Pediatric urolithiasis is an expanding field, due in part to the apparent increase in cases. Research continues, seeking to refine the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in these unfortunate children.