Study the Possibility of Creating Mucosal Valve Mechanism at Ureteric Orifice without Obstructing the Urine Outflow...

To study the possibility of creating mucosal valve mechanism at ureteric orifice without obstructing the urine outflow but preventing the urine backflow into the ureters.

Ethical waiver was obtained from the institutional ethical committee. Prospective experimental study was conducted on the post-mortem specimen of intact bladder with urethra and bilateral ureters retrieved from the already slaughtered lamb available in the meat market. Feeding tube inserted via urethral opening into the bladder lumen and bladder inflated with saline demonstrated no reflux of urine via transverse cut opening of ureters. Bladder lumen opened, ureteric orifices incised backwards to eliminate the obliquity. After closing the bladder opening, saline inflation test demonstrated bilateral reflux of saline via cut openings of bilateral ureters. Bladder was re-opened. The upper limb of horizontal U started 10 mm lateral and 8 mm above the refluxing ureteric orifice. Distal most curvature of horizontal U was kept 5 mm medial to ureteric orifice continuing along the lower limb of horizontal U terminating 10 mm lateral and 8 mm below the refluxing ureteric orifice, mucosal flaps from superior and inferior incision mobilized and edges joined to cover the ureteric orifice creating a flap valve mechanism. Influx of saline via cut end of ureters demonstrated no obstruction. Bladder was closed. Saline inflation test and contrast study demonstrated abolition of reflux on flap side and persistence of reflux on another side.

Five such experiments were conducted. On the side where the valve was created, Vesicoureteral reflux was abolished in four but in one minimal reflux still persisted.

Creating a mucosal flap valve around the ureteric orifice can prevent reflux in 80% of cases without obstruction and without the necessity of ureteric mobilization or creating submucosal tunnel.