Prenatal diagnosis and postpartal therapy of fetal obstructions related to the urinary tract

114 fetal malformations were diagnosed by ultrasound in the years 1983-1987 at our institute. 32 of these malformations involved the urinary tract. Fetuses with multicystic dysplasic kidneys and oligohydramnios have only a poor prognosis. In obstructive uropathy, however, exact antenatal diagnosis makes early leads to specific postpartal urological therapy. Modern ultrasound equipment makes it possible to localize the site of obstruction and/or dilatation in fetuses. The amount of amnion fluid indicates the degree of obstruction and is an important factor the postpartal prognosis of the children. Relieve of obstruction should be the first step of urological therapy directly after birth. We prefer to perform reconstructive surgery as soon as possible in the first 2 to 3 weeks of life. In children with subpelvic stenosis pyeloplasty is performed in the first weeks of life. Our results of 13 pyeloplasties in newborn are favourable. In children with megaureters dynamic scintigraphy or pressure flow studies (Whitaker test) are performed to diagnose or to exclude obstruction as a cause of dilatation (n = 14). In case of obstruction we perform an ureterocutaneostomy (Ring- or Sober procedure) immediately. Urethral valves causing subvesical obstruction could be treated by transvesical antegrade valve ablation, performed in 9 newborn with good success.