Antegrade pyelography before pyeloplasty via dorsal lumbar incision

The need for contrast imaging of the ureter before routine pediatric pyeloplasty is controversial. We evaluated the use of antegrade pyelography for upper tract imaging before pyeloplasty via dorsal lumbar incision.

The records of all patients who underwent pyeloplasty from April 1994 through April 1998 at our institution were reviewed. The findings and outcome of patients with presumed ureteropelvic junction obstruction in whom antegrade pyelography was performed under the same anesthetic were assessed, and those in whom this procedure changed the planned operative approach were identified.

Antegrade pyelography was performed without complication in 72 patients before planned pyeloplasty and 2 attempts were unsuccessful. In 10 cases (14%) plans for dorsal lumbar incision were abandoned based on findings of renal malrotation in 3, ureteral stricture in 2, ureterovesical junction obstruction in 2, unusually low or high position of the ureteropelvic junction in 1 each, and concurrent ureteropelvic and ureterovesical junction obstruction in 1. The study was misinterpreted in 1 case of renal malrotation and 1 case of horseshoe kidney, and the dorsal approach was used. In 1 of these cases conversion to an anterior approach was required. A nonobstructing ureterovesical junction was seen in 2 other patients who had ureteropelvic junction obstruction with mild ureteral dilatation on ultrasound.

The dorsal lumbar incision may provide inadequate exposure in certain patients with upper tract obstruction. Antegrade pyelography is a simple, safe and useful technique to visualize the collecting system before planned pyeloplasty via dorsal lumbar incision, allowing the surgeon to choose a more suitable operative approach or procedure when warranted.