INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic subureteral injection has been successfully used to treat vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. The aim of this study was to review our results with subureteral polydimethylsiloxane injection in terms of effectiveness, long term follow-up and morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-eight children with VUR were treated with this technique. VUR was unilateral in eight patients (28.6%) and bilateral in 20 patients (71.4%). Indications for endoscopic treatment were the same as those for open surgery. The polydimethylsiloxane implant was injected transureterally below the ureteral meatus in 50 ureters on an outpatient basis. Reflux grade was low (II-III) in 36% and high (IV-V) in 64%. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 18 months (12 months-4 years). VUR was corrected in 43 ureters (86%) corresponding to 21 patients. Reflux resolved in 40 ureters after one polydimethylsiloxane injection (80%) and in 43 ureters (86%) after two injections. An endoscopic retreatment to correct the reflux was performed in six ureteral units. Cystoscopic findings in these patients with endoscopic failure were mound displacement toward the bladder neck in five ureters and marked volume loss on the mound in one. All these patients underwent a second subureteral dose, which controlled VUR in three ureters (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that endoscopic subureteral polydimethylsiloxane treatment is a simple procedure with low morbidity that is well tolerated by the patient. In our experience, it can be used in double ureters. The effectiveness of this procedure seems to be related to the grade of reflux, the cystoscopic appearance of the ureteral orifice, volume loss and mound displacement.
INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic subureteral injection has been successfully used to treat vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. The aim of this study was to review our results with subureteral polydimethylsiloxane injection in terms of effectiveness, long term follow-up and morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-eight children with VUR were treated with this technique. VUR was unilateral in eight patients (28.6%) and bilateral in 20 patients (71.4%). Indications for endoscopic treatment were the same as those for open surgery. The polydimethylsiloxane implant was injected transureterally below the ureteral meatus in 50 ureters on an outpatient basis. Reflux grade was low (II-III) in 36% and high (IV-V) in 64%. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 18 months (12 months-4 years). VUR was corrected in 43 ureters (86%) corresponding to 21 patients. Reflux resolved in 40 ureters after one polydimethylsiloxane injection (80%) and in 43 ureters (86%) after two injections. An endoscopic retreatment to correct the reflux was performed in six ureteral units. Cystoscopic findings in these patients with endoscopic failure were mound displacement toward the bladder neck in five ureters and marked volume loss on the mound in one. All these patients underwent a second subureteral dose, which controlled VUR in three ureters (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that endoscopic subureteral polydimethylsiloxane treatment is a simple procedure with low morbidity that is well tolerated by the patient. In our experience, it can be used in double ureters. The effectiveness of this procedure seems to be related to the grade of reflux, the cystoscopic appearance of the ureteral orifice, volume loss and mound displacement.