Ureterocystoplasty: an ideal method for vesical augmentation in children

Inadequate therapy endangers upper urinary tract function in children with low compliance bladders. We report our approach of increasing bladder compliance using the patients own (mega)-ureter for bladder augmentation.

A total of 8 children underwent ureterocystoplasty. The etiology of bladder non-compliance and the need for augmentation was neurogenic in 5 children, posterior urethral valves in 2 children and in one child the situation after repeated antireflux surgery. In all patients the kidney of the used ureter was functionless. Surgery was done through a transperitoneal approach. After nephrectomy, the renal pelvis and the ureter were spatulated and sutured into the bladder incision. An additional MACE stoma was made in 3 patients, antireflux surgery for the contralateral kidney was necessary in 2 patients and one patient underwent stone removal in the remaining kidney. In 1 patient the ureter was used as a free transplant and was covered by an omental flap. In addition, a simultaneous living donor kidney transplant was performed (case 2).

Bladder capacity and compliance improved significantly in all patients. The function of the ureter which was used as a free transplant showed good clinical results. The longest follow-up is 8 years.

Ureterocystoplasty is a useful and metabolically neutral alternative to bowel segments. In patients with only one functioning kidney and a contralateral megaureter, ureterocystoplasty is the treatment of choice in our institution.