Long-term follow-up of renal function in patients after surgery for obstructive uropathy

In this prospective study, selected biochemical markers of glomerular and tubular function, proteinuria, and ultrasound findings in 62 pediatric patients who underwent surgery for obstructive uropathy were examined. Patients were younger than 12 months, normocreatininemic at the time of surgery, and examined at a mean age of 6.3+/-0.9 years. Out of the markers tested, serum concentration of cystatin C was significantly higher in patients when compared with the control group (p<0.001), and serum creatinine concentration was within reference interval in all patients. With respect to tubular function, 26% of patients had decreased concentration ability. Proteinuria was detected in 4.8% of patients. On ultrasound, 66.7% of kidneys after surgery had residual dilatation of the renal pelvis. The patients thrive well, and their somatic parameters do not differ from their peers. Half of the patients had one or more urinary tract infections from the date of surgery to the date of examination. Study results support the need for long-term nephrologic follow-up in patients after surgery for obstructive uropathy. The hypothesis that renal function in patients undergoing surgery aged younger than 3 or 6 months is better when compared with those aged 6 to 12 months has not been confirmed.