Long-term followup of the hematuria-dysuria syndrome

The hematuria-dysuria syndrome is the most common reported complication of gastrocystoplasty. We reviewed our cases of gastrocystoplasty to determine the long-term incidence and significance of the syndrome.

We performed a retrospective study of 78 patients who underwent gastrocystoplasty at our institution between July 1989 and October 1994. A total of 72 of the 78 cases were evaluated within the last year to elicit symptoms of the hematuria-dysuria syndrome.

Spina bifida and bladder exstrophy were the most common diagnoses of patients undergoing gastrocystoplasty. There were 3 (4%) patients who required medications on a continuous basis to control symptoms of the hematuria-dysuria syndrome. However, using broad criteria 17 (24%) patients would be categorized as having the syndrome. Of these patients 9 did not require any medications and 4 occasionally took medications to control symptoms. A significant increase in the incidence of the hematuria-dysuria syndrome was detected in those cases with a sensate compared to those with an insensate urethra.

The hematuria-dysuria syndrome is a clinically significant problem at long-term followup in a small percentage of patients treated with gastrocystoplasty. The lowest incidence is in those children with an insensate urethra who are continent. When symptoms occur they are easily treated in the majority of cases. We believe that gastrocystoplasty remains a viable option in the armamentarium of bladder augmentation.