Efficacy and causes of failure of endoscopic subureteric injection of Teflon in the treatment of primary vesicoureteric reflux.

A total of 135 consecutive patients with primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) were treated as day cases using submucosal Teflon injection (STING) between 1984 and 1988. Up to 3 repeat procedures were performed in the event of failure; 89% of patients and 92% of ureters were cured. None was obstructed and 2 recurred. Eight patients continue to have asymptomatic reflux Grade 2 or less, while 7 have had open surgery to correct the reflux. Most of the failures had a satisfactory appearance at STING but this deteriorated with time and appears to have been caused by leakage of Teflon from the injection site post-operatively. There were no signs or symptoms of embolisation or migration of the implant material.