[Clinical review of 39 cases with ectopic ureteroceles]

There are many controversies surrounding the management of ectopic ureteroceles (EUC). The aim of this study is to review our cases with EUCs and to show our policy of choice of treatments of EUCs.

The medical records of 39 patients with EUCs treated at Kobe. Children's Hospital from 1978 to 1998 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' age, affected site, presentation, treatment, and postoperative course were recorded.

The age at presentation ranged from 0 month to 13 years (mean; 6 years). The left EUCs were found in 15 patients, the right in 17 patients, and the bilateral in 7 patients. The EUCs with duplicated system of the kidney were involved in 35 cases (42 kidneys) and single system in 4 cases (4 kidneys). The most common mode of presentation was urinary tract infection (n = 24) followed by abdominal distention (n = 6) and fetal ultrasonography (n = 6). One patient presented with incontinence and in two patients EUCs were discovered incidentaly. Thirty-five cases (42 kidneys) were followed up over six months. In these cases diversion including nephrostomy and ureterostomy was performed in 5 kidneys, heminephrectomy and/or excision of the EUC and ureteral reimplantation in 8 kidneys, nephrectomy in 3 kidneys, pyeloureterostomy in 2 kidneys, excision of the EUC and ureteral reimplantation in 10 kidneys, and transurethral incision (TUI) of the EUC in 14 kidneys. After these treatments the second surgery was totally required in 15 kidneys(36%) including 7 kidneys in which TUI was performed. Furthermore, in two kidneys the third operation was performed.

Reoperation was required in about one-third of patients with ectopic ureteroceles. It is easy to perform TUI, however the rate to reoperation is high.