Purpose: We analyzed the outcome of bilateral Cohen urethral reimplantation in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and attempted to determine those children at risk for postoperative reflux or hydronephrosis.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was made on 43 consecutive children with primary VUR who recently underwent bilateral Cohen ureteral reimplantation. Outcome parameters consisted of length of hopitalization, correction of reflux and perioperative complications. Risk factors for persistent VUR or progression of existing hydronephrosis included grade of reflux, preoperative hydronephrosis, preoperative renal scarring, preoperative voiding dysfunction, and postoperative pyelonephritis. A minimum follow-up of 6 months was necessary for inclusion of the study.
Results: Forty-three children (30 male, 13 female) with primary VUR underwent bilateral Cohen ureteral reimplantation at a mean age of 42.5 months (5 months to 13 years). Forty-two children presented with urinary tract infections and one child had hydronephrosis discovered by maternal prenatal ultrasound. Breakthrough infection and high grade VUR were reasons for the surgical intervention. Of 86 renal units, 6 (7%) had grade 0, 7 (8.1%) had grade Ⅰ, 6 (7%) had grade Ⅱ, 15 (17.4%) had grade Ⅲ, 36 (41.9%) had grade Ⅳ and 16 (18.6%) had grade Ⅴ reflux. The mean length of hospital stay was 8.14 days. Twenty-nine children were managed with ureteral stents and suprapubic tubes during immediate postoperative period, whereas 14 children were managed without tubes. The mean length of hospital stay was 8.73 days and 6.93 days, respectively. Persistent VUR was noted in 2 children.
(2 ureters, 4.7%). No child had progression of existing hydronephrosis or perioperative complications. Preoperative voiding dysfunction was the only statistically significant risk factor for the persistent VUR.
Conclusions: Bilateral Cohen ureteral reimplantation is a safe and effective technique for correction of primary VUR in children. Catheterless technique may be employed for this surgery. Children with preoperative voiding dysfunction were identified as a high risk group for postoperative persistent reflux. All other children may receive little benefit from routine postoperative imaging studies.
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