Prognostic factors in Saudi children with posterior urethral valves.

Posterior urethral valves (PUV) account for a sizeable proportion of children with chronic renal failure. Several criteria have been identified as predictive of future renal function in children with PUV. We compared the presenting features and initial treatment in two groups of Saudi children treated for PUV, with the aim of identifying any factors that might account for the differences observed in their renal function. One group (group A, 19 patients) had a serum creatinine of 80 micromol/l or less at follow-up and the other (group B, 13 patients) had higher levels. There was no significant difference in age or weight at presentation, incidence and severity of reflux, urinary tract infection, or type of primary treatment (valve ablation versus vesicostomy) between the two groups. However, after 5-7 days of catheter drainage, the mean serum creatinine level was 88+/-62 micromol/l for patients in group A compared with 172+/-77 micromol/l for those in group B (P<0.0001). This difference was highly significant. Linear regression analysis of post-drainage creatinine and serum creatinine at last follow-up showed a correlation coefficient of 0.7171 (P<0.0001). Hence the serum creatinine level after catheter drainage correlated strongly with renal function during short-term follow-up of Saudi children with PUV. This might help in the selection of the optimal initial therapy and provide some basis for prognostication.

Pyelovenous fistula: an uncommon cause of 'essential haematuria'.

Haematuria from obscure lesions of the kidney sometimes pose both diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Recently, we managed a patient in whom a confident diagnosis of pyelovenous fistula was made.

Major injuries to the urinary tract in association with childbirth.

This retrospective study was designed to determine the incidence of major injuries to the urinary tract that occur during parturition and to assess their management. Twenty one such injuries were managed at the maternity wing of the Riyadh Medical Complex in a four-year period. They occurred during a total delivery of 48,693. This gives an incidence of major urinary trauma of 43 per 100,000 births. There were 4,622 deliveries by caesarean section, giving a section rate of 9.5%. Of ten cases of severe bladder injuries, seven occurred in association with ruptured uteri, and three at repeat caesarean sections. One case of bladder rupture involved injury to the ureters, and another was associated with vaginal laceration and traumatic vesico-vaginal fistula. All bladder injuries were discovered either on the table or soon after delivery. Ten women sustained ureteric injuries. Five injuries occurred during caesarean section, three at caesarean hysterectomies, two were avulsed from a ruptured bladder and another was ligated during repair of a deep cervical laceration. Only one case of ureteric injury was made intra-operatively. The others (90%), were discovered in the early puerperium, ranging from five to twenty one days. There was one case of rupture of a diseased kidney during labour. She presented soon after delivery and had nephrectomy. Haemorrhage was profuse in many cases and warranted hysterectomy in six cases, internal iliac artery ligation in three cases, and both procedures in one case. Assessment of viability of tissues and integrity of the ureters was made difficult by bleeding. Successful bladder repair was achieved in nine out of ten women employing limited excision of tissues and liberal drainage. Exploration and repair of ureteric injuries was preceded by a period of percutaneous nephrostomy drainage. This approach was associated with good results.

Management of uretero-pelvic obstruction in developing countries.

Congenital pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) was found in 29 of 36 renal units explored for impaired pelvic drainage in 34 adults. There was a primary nephrectomy rate of 8.4%, and follow up was poor. The widespread use of ultrasound scan has led to an increase in the number of children with equivocal PUJ obstruction. Where surveillance is inadequate, as is the case in developing countries, we suggest that early operation might lead to better renal salvage in such cases.