Pyeloplasty in children by lumbotomy approach using infant feeding tube as single stent

Amit Singh, Minu Bajpai1, Manisha Jana

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Insights

Infant feeding tubes (IFT) used as a single stent in pediatric pyeloplasty offer effective drainage and avoid complications. This approach demonstrates a high success rate, proving a cost-effective and readily available alternative.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Surgical Innovation
  • Medical Device Application

Background:

  • Pyeloplasty is a common procedure for pediatric pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO).
  • Traditional stenting methods involve double-J stents or nephrostomies, each with potential complications.
  • The lumbotomy approach offers a surgical route for pyeloplasty.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of using a single infant feeding tube (IFT) as a stent in pediatric pyeloplasty performed via a lumbotomy approach.
  • To assess the outcomes and complications associated with this simplified stenting technique.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 134 pediatric pyeloplasty cases performed between January 2000 and December 2010 using the lumbotomy approach.
  • A 5 Fr IFT with multiple holes was employed as a single stent, serving dual roles as a nephrostomy and transanastomotic stent.
  • Single-layer anastomosis at the pelvi-ureteric junction was performed, with pelvic reduction if necessary.

Main Results:

  • The study included 109 males and 25 females (M:F ratio 4.3:1), with 87.3% left-sided PUJO.
  • Postoperative complications were low, including infection (1.5%), urinoma (0.7%), urine leak (2.2%), non-drainage (1.5%), and accidental stent removal (1.5%).
  • Follow-up scans at 3 and 9 months showed improved drainage in 92.5% and preserved renal function in 96.2%, with an overall success rate of 97.5%.

Conclusions:

  • Using an IFT as a transanastomotic stent in pediatric pyeloplasty provides effective drainage.
  • This method avoids complications associated with double-J stents and nephrostomies.
  • The IFT approach is a cost-effective and readily available alternative for pediatric pyeloplasty stenting.
Abstract