Non-surgical management in children with non-refluxing primary megaureter: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Children with non-refluxing primary megaureter are mostly managed by a watchful approach with close follow-up and serial imaging. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the current non-surgical management strategy in these patients. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search including electronic literature databases, clinical trial registries, and conference proceedings was performed. DATA SYNTHESIS METHODS: Outcomes were estimated as pooled prevalence. If meta-analytical calculations were not appropriate, outcomes were provided in a descriptive manner. RESULTS: Data from 8 studies (290 patients/354 renal units) were included. For the primary outcome, differential renal function estimated by functional imaging, meta-analysis was impossible due to reported data not being precise. Pooled prevalence for secondary surgery was 13% (95% confidence interval: 8-19%) and for resolution 61% (95% confidence interval: 42-78%). The risk of bias was moderate or high in most studies. LIMITATIONS: This analysis was limited by the low number of eligible studies with few participants and high clinical heterogeneity, and the poor quality of the available data. CONCLUSIONS: The low pooled prevalence of secondary surgical intervention and high pooled prevalence of resolution may support the current non-surgical management in children with non-refluxing primary megaureter. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited available body of evidence. Future studies should overcome existing limitations of imaging methods by using standardized, comparable criteria and report outcome parameters in a quantitative manner. This would allow more sufficient data synthesis to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical decision-making and counseling. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol was registered on PROSPERO under CRD42019134502.

Long-term followup of primary nonrefluxing megaureter.

PURPOSE: We evaluated outcomes of nonoperative management of primary nonrefluxing megaureter at long-term followup to identify clinical predictors of spontaneous resolution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 patients (88 primary megaureters) were diagnosed between 1990 and 2005 and followed for more than 6 months. Of the patients 63 (74 primary megaureters) were included in the main study population. Indications for surgery were obstructive hydroureteronephrosis, functional impairment and persistent symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 74 primary megaureters 20 (27%) required surgery up to 7 years after diagnosis. Surgery was not indicated in 82% of primary megaureters with grade I or II hydronephrosis vs 62.9% of those with grade III or higher hydronephrosis (difference not significant), nor in 76.5% of types I and II primary megaureters vs 33.3% of type III primary megaureters (p = 0.040), 78.7% of renal units with differential function 40% or greater vs 0% with differential function less than 40% (p = 0.027), 80% of primary megaureters with a nonobstructive washout pattern vs 44.4% with an intermediate/obstructive pattern (p = 0.032), 67.9% of patients with perinatal presentation vs 25% with postneonatal presentation (p = 0.008) or 63.2% of patients presenting with symptoms vs 76.4% of those who were asymptomatic (difference not significant). On multivariate analysis age at presentation and washout pattern were significant predictors of spontaneous resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of primary megaureter resolve spontaneously or improve without loss of function or development of symptoms. Careful observation allows surgery to be delayed beyond the neonatal period in most patients. Long-term followup is recommended because symptoms can develop years later. Washout pattern and age at presentation are statistically significant predictors of spontaneous resolution.

Early-in-Life Serum Aldosterone Levels Could Predict Surgery in Patients with Obstructive Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract: A Pilot Study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether serum aldosterone levels or plasmatic renin activity (PRA) measured early in life (1-3 months) could predict a future surgical intervention for obstructive congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Twenty babies aged 1-3 months of life with suspected obstructive CAKUT were prospectively enrolled. The patients underwent a 2-year follow-up and were classified as patients needing or not needing surgery. In all of the enrolled patients, PRA and serum aldosterone levels were measured at 1-3 months of life and were evaluated as predictors of surgery by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Patients undergoing surgery during follow-up showed significantly higher levels of aldosterone at 1-3 months of life compared to those who did not require surgery (p = 0.006). The ROC curve analysis of the aldosterone for obstructive CAKUT needing surgery showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.88 (95%CI = 0.71-0.95; p = 0.001). The aldosterone cut-off of 100 ng/dL presented 100% sensitivity and 64.3% specificity and predicted surgery in 100% of cases. The PRA at 1-3 months of life was not a predictor of surgery. In conclusion, serum aldosterone levels at 1-3 months could predict the need for surgery during obstructive CAKUT follow-up.

Efficacy analysis of single-port intravesical laparoscopic Politano-Leadbetter for primary obstructive megaureter in adolescents / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of single-port intravesical laparoscopic Politano-Leadbetter in the treatment of adolescent primary obstructive megaureter.Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 11 adolescents with primary obstructive megaureter who received single-port intravesical laparoscopic Politano-Leadbetter in Fujian Provincial Hospital from January 2018 to November 2019, including 7 males and 4 females, 8 patients with left stenosis and 3 patients with right stenosis. The mean age was (13.5±2.4) years old, and the mean weight was (49.4±11.2) kg. Before surgery, the anteroposterior diameter of the affected renal pelvis was (3.25±0.69) cm, the maximum diameter of the ureter was (2.25±0.48) cm, the thickness of the affected renal cortex was (1.34±0.52) cm, and the renal function was (36.00±2.86) %. All patients underwent Politano-Leadbetter by single-port intravesical laparoscopic. Suprapubic bladder approach was used to establish a single-hole air bladder channel, and the end of the ureter was dislocated and cut, the submucosal tunnel of the bladder was established, and the end of the ureter was re-embedded. The Politano-Leadbetter ureteral replantation was completed.The dilatation and tortuousness of the affected renal pelvis and ureter and the changes of renal function of the affected kidney were analyzed before and after operation.Results:All operations were completed successfully.The operative time was (95.6±18.5) min, the intraoperative blood loss was (6.8±2.3) ml, the postoperative indwelling catheter time was (4.5±1.8) d, and the average hospital stay was (6.2±2.4) d. Postoperative follow-up time was (13.6±4.3) months.12 months after surgery, the anteroposterior diameter of the affected renal pelvis and the maximum diameter of the ureter were (2.00±0.45) cm and (1.18±0.22) cm, which were significantly lower than those before surgery ( P< 0.05). The thickness of the renal cortex was (2.17±0.49) cm, and the renal function was (44.00±1.41) %, which was significantly increased compared with that before operation ( P<0.05). Diuretic nephrogram showed no mechanical obstruction or no obstruction curve. One patient developed urinary tract infection 6 weeks after operation and recovered after removal of double J tubes.The other patient presented degree I ureteral reflux 6 months and 1 year after surgery, without urinary tract infection and low back pain.All the other children recovered well without postoperative complications.All parents were satisfied with the incision. Conclusions:Single-port intravesical laparoscopic Politano-Leadbetter for the treatment of adolescents with primary obstructed megareter can improve hydronephelectasis of the renal pelvis and renal function of the affected kidney, and overcome the difficulty of injury due to fat pad hypertrophy in the bladder area above the pubic bone and the establishment of conventional pneumo-bladder laparoscopy, the operation effect is ideal, few complications, safe and feasible.

Factores predictores de conducta en la evaluación inicial de pacientes pediátricos con megauréter primario / Management predicting factors in the evaluation of pediatric patients with primary megaureter

El Megauréter Primario no Refluyente (MPNR) es una patología con alta resolución espontánea. El presente trabajo pretende estudiar como diferentes factores clínicos e imagenológicos objetivados en la evaluación inicial predicen aquellos pacientes que van a requerir conducta quirúrgica. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de pacientes con diagnóstico de MPNR diagnosticados entre el año 1995 y 2005. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y test de chi-cuadrado. Resultados: Se reclutaron 44 pacientes, incluyendo 8 casos bilaterales (52 megauréteres). El tiempo promedio de seguimiento fue de 23,2 +/- 20,1 meses. La edad mediana de diagnóstico fue de 7,5 meses (rango 1-155 meses), con un 77 por ciento de pacientes masculinos. Un 32 por ciento de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico. No hubo asociación entre la conducta y el género o la forma de presentación. Los pacientes con megauréter izquierdo tuvieron mayor tendencia a ser manejados quirúrgicamente (0,01< p< 0,05), mientras que los bilaterales resolvieron todos médicamente (0,05< p< 0,1). La presencia de ITU durante el seguimiento fue un fenómeno infrecuente (9 por ciento), teniendo una asociación intermedia con la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico (0,01< p< 0,05). Una Función Renal Relativa Cintigráfica (FRR) inicial menor a 40 por ciento presentó un VPP=0,67 y un VPN=0,81 para predecir cirugía, con una probabilidad de asociación intermedia (0,01 < p < 0,05). Una Curva de Excreción Cintigráfica Obstructiva (CECO) inicial presentó un VVP=0,82 y un VPN=0,89 para predecircirugía, con una alta probabilidad de asociación (p < 0,01). Una Dilatación Pieloureteral Ecográfica Severa (DPUES) inicial presentó un VVP=0,67 y un VPN=0,89 para predecir cirugía, con una alta probabilidad de asociación (p < 0,01). Al presentarse estas condiciones en conjunto, se obtuvo una mejora importante de los VPP para predecir cirugía, con altas probabilidades de asociación...

Introduction: Primary non refluxing megaureter (PNM) has a high index of spontaneous resolution. The present study evaluates different clinical and imaging factors that may predict the need for surgical management. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of PNM patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2005was performed. Data was described and analyzed with chi-square test. Results: A total of 44 patients, 8 bilateral cases (52 megaureters total), were analyzed. Mean follow up time was 23,2 +/- 20,1 months. Mean age was 7,5 months (range 1-155 months) with 77 percent of patients being male. A total of 32 percent patients underwent surgical treatment. There was no relation between medical conduct and form of presentation. Left megaureters were mostly treated surgically(0,01< p < 0,05) while bilateral ones were managed expectantly (0,05 < p < 0,1). Urinary infection during follow-up was infrequent (only 9 percent) having an intermediate association with surgical treatment (0,01< p < 0,05). Relative Renal Cintigram Function (RRCF) under 40 percent presented a PPV=0,67 and NPV=0,81 for surgery with and intermediate association probability (0,01< p< 0,05).Obstructive Renal Cintigram Curve (ORCC) presented a PPV=0,82 and a NPV=0,89 for surgery with a high association probability (p < 0,01). Initial Severe Pelvic Hydronefrosis (ISPH) presented PPV=0,67and NPV=0,89 for surgery with a high association probability (p < 0,01). All these conditions put together presented an increased in the PPV for predicting surgery with high association probabilities. Conclusions: Surgical management of PNM is infrequent. Gender and form of presentation were not significantly associated with management. Side and the presence of UTI during follow-up could be used to prognosticate the need for surgery. Prognostic value of RRCF, ORCC and ISPH is defined by their NPV. Renal ultrasound and cintigram are useful in predicting future therapeutic conduct.