OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children with the subureteral injection of calcium hydroxyapatite (Coaptite). METHODS: The serie includes thirteen children whose age ranged between 6 and 13 years. The Coaptite implant was injected subureterally to 20 ureteral units (UU) affected by VUR grades I-IV. VUR was unilateral in six patients (46%), bilateral in seven (54%). There were 7 primary cases and 6 secondary to bladder dysfunction and duplex systems. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 19 months (6-28 months). VUR was cured in 75% of cases after a single injection. A second injection resolved 2 out of 4 treated UU (50%) rendering a global success rate of 85%. This cure rate was achieved for 13 and 7 procedures treating primary and secondary VUR, respectively. 77% of patients reported no adverse events with only 23% of them complaining of transient mild lumbar and hypogastric discomfort limited to the first postoperative day. In 2 children postoperative urinary infection was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic subureteral injection with Coaptite is a simple technique well tolerated in children. In 85% of primary and secondary cases cure was achieved with minimal morbidity.
OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children with the subureteral injection of calcium hydroxyapatite (Coaptite). METHODS: The serie includes thirteen children whose age ranged between 6 and 13 years. The Coaptite implant was injected subureterally to 20 ureteral units (UU) affected by VUR grades I-IV. VUR was unilateral in six patients (46%), bilateral in seven (54%). There were 7 primary cases and 6 secondary to bladder dysfunction and duplex systems. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 19 months (6-28 months). VUR was cured in 75% of cases after a single injection. A second injection resolved 2 out of 4 treated UU (50%) rendering a global success rate of 85%. This cure rate was achieved for 13 and 7 procedures treating primary and secondary VUR, respectively. 77% of patients reported no adverse events with only 23% of them complaining of transient mild lumbar and hypogastric discomfort limited to the first postoperative day. In 2 children postoperative urinary infection was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic subureteral injection with Coaptite is a simple technique well tolerated in children. In 85% of primary and secondary cases cure was achieved with minimal morbidity.