Renal transplantation in children with posterior urethral valves

We compared retrospectively the outcome of renal transplantation in 18 children with a diagnosis of posterior urethral valves to 18 matched children with nonobstructed renal failure to identify the disadvantages of renal transplantation into the valve bladder. There was no statistical difference in patient survival. The 5-year graft survival rate was 62.3% in children with posterior urethral valves and 48% in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.32). A statistically significant increase in serum creatinine from 1.2 to 2.2 mg./dl. was noted in the patients with posterior urethral valves, which was not seen in the control group (p = 0.0009). The clinical significance of this finding is unknown. Renal transplantation can be performed successfully in patients with posterior urethral valves. A prospective study is required to determine the benefits of preoperative lower urinary tract urodynamic assessment and the true effect of the valve bladder.