BACKGROUND: Filariasis is an endemic problem in various Indian states. We evaluated the results of long-term follow up (10-20 years) of patients with filarial chyluria. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 160 patients treated for filarial chyluria who presented to the Banaras Hindu University Hospital from 1982 to 1992. Eighty-four patients (52.5%) were treated using diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and a fat restricted diet and 76 patients (47.5%) underwent surgery. To examine the long-term effects of filarial chyluria we analysed data on post-treatment recurrence, weight gain, dietary freedom, chyluria free period and a number of other associated factors. RESULTS: Previous history of filariasis or its complication was documented in 19% of patients. In 71% of cases, cystoscopy showed that chylous efflux was predominant in the left ureteric orifice. The long-term remission rate was 62% in the conservatively managed group (DEC + fat restricted diet), whereas 90% of patients in the operated group were cured. Postoperative recurrence rate was 10%. There was more weight gain and dietary freedom along with a longer chyluria free period in the operated group relative to the conservatively managed group. CONCLUSIONS: Definitive surgical ablation of lymphatic urinary fistula is better than conservative medical management because it has a higher success rate, more dietary freedom and, therefore, better patient acceptability.
BACKGROUND:Filariasis is an endemic problem in various Indian states. We evaluated the results of long-term follow up (10-20 years) of patients with filarial chyluria. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 160 patients treated for filarial chyluria who presented to the Banaras Hindu University Hospital from 1982 to 1992. Eighty-four patients (52.5%) were treated using diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and a fat restricted diet and 76 patients (47.5%) underwent surgery. To examine the long-term effects of filarial chyluria we analysed data on post-treatment recurrence, weight gain, dietary freedom, chyluria free period and a number of other associated factors. RESULTS: Previous history of filariasis or its complication was documented in 19% of patients. In 71% of cases, cystoscopy showed that chylous efflux was predominant in the left ureteric orifice. The long-term remission rate was 62% in the conservatively managed group (DEC + fat restricted diet), whereas 90% of patients in the operated group were cured. Postoperative recurrence rate was 10%. There was more weight gain and dietary freedom along with a longer chyluria free period in the operated group relative to the conservatively managed group. CONCLUSIONS: Definitive surgical ablation of lymphatic urinary fistula is better than conservative medical management because it has a higher success rate, more dietary freedom and, therefore, better patient acceptability.
Authors: Benjamin Knier; Beatrix Büschges-Seraphin; Karl F Hilgers; Kerstin U Amann; Michael Uder; Kai-Uwe Eckardt; Johannes Jacobi Journal: BMC Nephrol Date: 2012-02-01 Impact factor: 2.388