Congenital ureteric valves--a cause of urinary obstruction.

Congenital ureteric valves causing upper urinary tract obstruction was discovered after operation in 4 adults who had presented with different urological problems. The fifth patient, an infant, presented with failure to thrive and was suspected of having a congenital ureteric valve prior to operation. The infant had gross hydronephrosis and was treated by excision of the segment containing the valve and end-to-end anastomosis of the ureter and pyeloplasty because of a narrow pelviureteric junction. Three adults had severe kidney damage and underwent nephrectomy. The fourth adult, who had a horseshoe kidney with 4 small stones in the lowermost calix, underwent pyelolithotomy; in addition, the segment bearing the valve was excised and a ureteropyelostomy was carried out.