Dismembered pyeloplasty using double 'J' stent in infants and children

The purpose of the present study was to comprehensively assess the results of dismembered pyeloplasty in pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) using double 'J' ureteric stent.

Records of 61 dismembered pyeloplasties in 60 consecutive patients with PUJO who underwent pyeloplasty in a 5-year period were reviewed retrospectively. In 58 cases, a double 'J' stent was passed in an antegrade fashion during the operation. No other mode of drainage was used. Stent was not placed on three occasions. Records were reviewed for age at diagnosis, age at surgery, post-operative complication, post-operative drainage and length of hospital stay.

There were no episodes of urinary leak or re-obstruction in the stented group. Median post-operative stay in stented patients was 2 days. The use of this stent was associated with no serious complications. There were no episodes of post-operative urinary tract infection or stent displacement.

We recommend double 'J' stent as the safest mode of drainage in pyeloplasty in infants and children. Keeping a double-J stent across the anastomosis reduces the complications and the hospital stay in these patients.