Objectives: To determine whether the outcome of secondary open pyeloplasty is compromised by previous retrograde balloon dilation.
Methods: Patients undergoing secondary open pyeloplasty after retrograde balloon dilation (n = 25) were compared with a similar group undergoing primary open pyeloplasty (n = 25) at the same institution. Patients were assessed by renography before and after surgery, and postoperative success was determined by the complete absence of pain.
Results: In the primary pyeloplasty group, the success rate was 96%, with a mean follow-up of 33 months (range 17 to 53). In the secondary pyeloplasty group, the success rate was 88%, with a mean follow-up of 20 months (range 9 to 32). No statistically significant difference was found in the success rates between the two groups (P = 0.6).
Conclusions: Treatment failures after retrograde balloon dilation can be salvaged by secondary pyeloplasty with no detriment to the chance of long-term success compared with primary pyeloplasty.