Aim: To analyse different treatment modalities, functional outcome and continence in children treated for duplex-system ureterocele and to review the relevant literature.
Methods: The medical records of patients with duplex-system ureterocele treated between 2001 and 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.
Results: Twenty-two cases were identified. Five patients underwent incision of the ureterocele as initial procedure. It was curative in only one patient. Seven patients underwent upper-pole nephroureterectomy. It was curative in 4 cases. Five patients underwent excision of ureterocele and common-sheath reimplant, and the remaining 5 patients had upper-pole nephroureterectomy and simultaneous excision of ureterocele with lower-moiety ureteric reimplantation. These surgeries were curative in all patients. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 84 months. Functional outcome was good in all patients. Fourteen patients were continent at follow-up, and continence was not assessed in the other 8 because of young age.
Conclusions: Our data suggest a higher rate of secondary procedures if there is retained ureterocele. Data also suggest that complete reconstruction can be safely performed in a young infant without any adverse effect on continence.
Keywords: common sheath reimplant; duplex ureterocele; endoscopic incision; secondary surgery; upper pole nephrectomy.
© 2013 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2013 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).