Clinical and Urodynamic Predictors for Failure of Medical Management with Alpha Blockers in PBNO: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and urodynamic variables that may predict the failure of alpha-blockers in primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) patients. Alpha-blockers are useful as a treatment option in patients with PBNO. Nonresponders need to undergo bladder neck incision (BNI). Little is known about the predictive factors determining the success of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study, spanning over a period of 8 years. PBNO was diagnosed in the presence of a bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) >40 with video-urodynamic evidence of obstruction at the bladder neck. The patients were initially managed with alpha-blockers (alfuzosin and tamsulosin) for 3-6 months, and BNI contemplated when pharmacotherapy failed. The patients with upper tract changes managed with upfront BNI or clean intermittent catheterization were excluded. The data for the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, urodynamic studies, and ultrasonography of pre and post-treatment periods were reviewed. Treatment outcomes were defined as complete response (>50% improvement in Qmax and IPSS score) and partial response (30%-50% improvement in Qmax and IPSS score) at 3 or 6 months. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were analyzed. 21 patients underwent BNI for the failure of medical management and 31 for recurrence of symptoms at a mean follow-up of 18.8 ± 3.5 months (12-70 months). Independent predictors of failure of pharmacotherapy with alpha-blockers were age (P = .021), Pdet@Qmax (P = .015), and BOOI (P = .019). CONCLUSION: Alpha-blockers are more likely to fail in PBNO in younger patients generating higher voiding pressures and BOOI > 60.

Long term outcomes of Cohen's cross trigonal reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux in poorly functioning kidney.

BACKGROUND: Open ureteric reimplantation by cross trigonal technique described by Cohen is considered a common surgical option for correction of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). There is a lack of evidence in literature though for what happens to such kidneys, in the long run, particularly those which are poorly functioning. AIM: To assess the long-term outcomes of ureteric reimplantation in poorly functioning kidneys in children with unilateral primary VUR. METHODS: Children with unilateral primary VUR and a relative renal function of less than 35% who underwent open or laparoscopic ureteric reimplantation between January 2005 and January 2017 were included in the study. Patients who had a follow up of less than five years were excluded. Preoperative evaluation consisted of a voiding cystourethrogram and Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan. In the follow-up period, patients underwent a diuretic scan at 6 weeks and 6 months. Follow up ultrasound was done for change in grade of hydronephrosis and retrovesical ureteric diameter. Subsequent follow up was done at 6 monthly intervals with evaluation for proteinuria and hypertension and any recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). For assessment of cortical function, DMSA was repeated annually for 5 years after surgery. A paired-samples t-test was used to test the mean difference of DMSA between pre-post observations. RESULTS: During this period, 36 children underwent ureteric reimplantation for unilateral primary VUR. After excluding those with insufficient follow-up, 31 were included in the analysis. Most of the patients were males (n = 26/31, 83.8%). Patient's age (mean ± SD, range) was 5.21 ± 3.71, 1-18 years. The grades of VUR were grade II (1 patient), grade III (8 patients), grade IV (10 patients), and grade V (12 patients). The pre and postoperative DMSA was 24.064 ± 12.02 and 24.06 ± 10.93, which was almost the same (statistically equal, paired-samples t-test: P = 0.873). The median (range) follow-up duration was 82 (60-120) mo. One patient had persistent reflux after surgery (preoperative: grade IV, postoperative: grade III), and the very same patient developed recurrent UTI. The difference in the preoperative and postoperative DRF was less than 10% in 29 patients. In one patient, the DRF decreased by 17% (22% to 05%) while in another patient, the DRF increased by 12% (25% to 37%) after surgery. None of the patients had an increase in scarring after surgery. 15% of patients were hypertensive before surgery and all of them continued to be hypertensive after surgery while none developed hypertension after surgery. None of the patients had significant proteinuria (> 150 mg/d) during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Children with unilateral primary VUR and poorly functioning kidney maintain the renal function over the long term in most cases. Hypertension and proteinuria do not progress over time in these patients.

Multidimensional assessment of quality of life of children and problems of parents in Indian society after pediatric renal transplant: Beyond the conventional thoughts.

This study evaluated multidimensional QoL after renal transplant to find the physical, psychosocial, and economic issues after pediatric transplant. Sixty-two patients under the age of 18 at the time of assessment were asked to complete WHOQOL questionnaires. Assessment of behavioral, emotional status of child, problems of parents, and SEC of family were also performed. The beneficial effect of transplantation was observed across all domains of QoL (physical, psychological, social, environmental, and overall QoL). The greatest change was observed in QoL domains that dealt with overall satisfaction (81.28±15.76 vs 45.32±10.98; P<.0001). The domain dealing with environmental factors showed the least variation after transplantation (65.58±17.45 vs 51.34±17.81; P<.0001). Feelings of happiness and peer group socialization were reported in 81% and 69% of patients, respectively. There was no marital disharmony in 52% of families. However, SEC deteriorated in 16% of families and 59% of the families availed financial assistance. Sixty-nine percent of children had not attended school after one year of transplantation, but return to school after transplant was reduced to 8% at 5 years. Pre- and post-transplant social and psychological support may help these patients and their families adjust in society and have a positive outlook for their future.

Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation in pediatric overactive bladder: A preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) is a common problem in children that may affect their quality of life. Various methods of neuromodulation have been reported to treat refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. Since most of these techniques are invasive, they are less applicable in children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous PTNS in treatment of OAB in children, in a randomized clinical setting. STUDY DESIGN: This study was single-blinded, prospective, sham controlled randomized trial. 40 children with non-neurogenic OAB refractory to behavioural and anticholinergic therapy were randomized either to test group or sham group. Neuromodulation was performed using two self-adhesive electrodes cephalad to medial malleolus. In test group the stimulation was given with voltage pulse intensity of 0 to 10 mA, pulse width of 200 µs and frequency of 20 Hz. In sham group patch electrodes were applied to simulate the test group but no stimulation was given. In both groups, weekly session of 30 min was given for a period of 12 weeks. The OAB symptoms, severity of incontinence, number of voids daily (NV), average voided volume (AVV) and maximum voided volume (MVV) were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: On assessment of subjective improvement of OAB symptoms, 66.66% patients reported cure and 23.81% patients reported significant improvement of symptoms in test group whereas in sham group only 6.25% patients reported significant improvement. In test group 71.42% patients reported complete improvement in incontinence whereas in sham group only 12.5% patient reported complete improvement. The AVV, MVV and NV improved significantly in test group (p <0.001) as compared to sham group (Table). DISCUSSION: The present study is unique as none of the earlier studies in children were sham controlled. It is also first PTNS study in which patch electrodes were used; therefore it is completely noninvasive. This technique provides better patient acceptability and compliance. This study proved that, there is a definite effect of PTNS as compared to placebo because when patients from sham group were treated actively, they responded well. The present study has few limitations as it has relatively short follow-up period of 12 weeks. Relapse of OAB symptoms and maintenance schedule of PTNS need to be assessed further. CONCLUSION: Transcutaneous PTNS is superior to placebo in treatment of non-neurogenic overactive bladder in children. In view of its effectiveness and acceptability we believe that transcutaneous PTNS should be part of pediatric urology armamentarium for treatment of OAB.