Role of prophylaxis in vesicoureteral reflux

Traditional management of vesicoureteral reflux focuses on preventing renal complications associated with ascending urinary tract infection by either providing continuous antibiotic prophylaxis to sterilize the urine and thus prevent recurrent infection, or abolishing reflux via surgical intervention. This review will consider the rationale for antibiotic prophylaxis in light of contemporary data regarding the natural history of vesicoureteral reflux, urinary tract infection and renal scarring, as well as the efficacy of various treatment strategies.

Recent studies have shown that in grades I-IV vesicoureteral reflux, open surgical intervention compared with antibiotic prophylaxis is no better at preventing renal complications. Endoscopic subureteral injection of biomaterials has been proposed as a cost-effective, minimally invasive alternative to surgical or medical intervention; however, given the variety of materials and techniques, the literature has yet to achieve consensus on its efficacy. The first study to compare antibiotic prophylaxis with increased surveillance and prompt treatment of urinary tract infection shows no difference between the two approaches in low-grade (grades I-II) vesicoureteral reflux.

Recent studies have challenged the traditional paradigm of aggressive vesicoureteral reflux management with surgery or antibiotic prophylaxis. In light of these findings, pediatric urologists will need to reexamine treatment modalities for vesicoureteral reflux.