[The surgical treatment of congenital hydronephrosis]

Experience is recorded with the operative treatment of congenital hydronephrosis in 56 patients, 14 to 59 years of age, over the period from January 1985 through July 1989. Of major importance for establishing correct diagnosis were excretory urography and ultrasound examination of the kidneys. Retrograde ureteropyelography was performed in only 5 patients on the operation day. Constrictions in the area of the pyeloureteral segment were the most common cause of hydronephrotic transformation of the kidneys. Because of the encouraging results, the authors give preference to the plastic operation by the method of Anderson-Hynes with drainage of the urine through nephrostoma and intubation drain for a period of 12 to 15 days. Operations for congenital hydronephrosis consisting only of removal of the adhesions in the area of the pyeloureteral segment are not advised.