Andrew J Kirsch1, Angela M Arlen2, Goran Lackgren3. 1. Department of Pediatric Urology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Electronic address: akirschmd@gmail.com. 2. Department of Pediatric Urology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. 3. Section of Urology, University Children's Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the current preferred injection technique(s) for endoscopic management of pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Since the approval of dextranomer hyaluronic acid copolymer (Dx/HA) in 2001, injection methods have evolved and now include the hydrodistention implantation technique (HIT) and double HIT as well as subureteral transurethral injection (STING) method. METHODS: In July 2012, 278 pediatric urologists in the United States were contacted to complete a 15-question survey regarding Dx/HA injection technique(s) currently used in their practice. RESULTS: Fifty board-certified pediatric urologists completed the survey for a response rate of 18%. Most respondents (60%) were in a single-specialty group practice, and 12% were affiliated with an academic- or university-based practice. Respondents reported seeing a mean of 159 pediatric patients (range, 40-400 patients) with VUR annually, and 94% used Dx/HA ≥4 times in the past year. Forty-seven respondents (94%) reported using double HIT over the course of their career compared with 36 (72%) for STING and 30 (60%) for HIT (P <.05). Double HIT gained widespread acceptance between 2007 and 2008, paralleled by a decline in use of other injection techniques. A significantly higher percentage currently perform double HIT (92%) compared with either STING (24%) or HIT (34%; P <.001). Respondents reported the use of double HIT 15 times more often than STING technique and 5 times more often than HIT during the past 12 months (P <.001). CONCLUSION: The double HIT method is currently the most commonly performed technique for endoscopic correction of VUR by pediatric urologists in the United States.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the current preferred injection technique(s) for endoscopic management of pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Since the approval of dextranomer hyaluronic acid copolymer (Dx/HA) in 2001, injection methods have evolved and now include the hydrodistention implantation technique (HIT) and double HIT as well as subureteral transurethral injection (STING) method. METHODS: In July 2012, 278 pediatric urologists in the United States were contacted to complete a 15-question survey regarding Dx/HA injection technique(s) currently used in their practice. RESULTS: Fifty board-certified pediatric urologists completed the survey for a response rate of 18%. Most respondents (60%) were in a single-specialty group practice, and 12% were affiliated with an academic- or university-based practice. Respondents reported seeing a mean of 159 pediatric patients (range, 40-400 patients) with VUR annually, and 94% used Dx/HA ≥4 times in the past year. Forty-seven respondents (94%) reported using double HIT over the course of their career compared with 36 (72%) for STING and 30 (60%) for HIT (P <.05). Double HIT gained widespread acceptance between 2007 and 2008, paralleled by a decline in use of other injection techniques. A significantly higher percentage currently perform double HIT (92%) compared with either STING (24%) or HIT (34%; P <.001). Respondents reported the use of double HIT 15 times more often than STING technique and 5 times more often than HIT during the past 12 months (P <.001). CONCLUSION: The double HIT method is currently the most commonly performed technique for endoscopic correction of VUR by pediatric urologists in the United States.