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Updated: Sep 14, 2026

A Murine Model of Irreversible and Reversible Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction
Published on: December 20, 2014
Insights
Surgical intervention is essential for managing pediatric primary obstructed megaureters. While adults may benefit from conservative approaches, surgical outcomes are generally better in children than adults.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Primary obstructed megaureter is a congenital condition affecting the ureter.
- It can lead to significant complications if not managed appropriately.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the clinical presentation and management of primary obstructed megaureters.
- To compare treatment outcomes between children and adults.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 46 patients (57 megaureters), 35 of whom were children.
- Analysis of indications for surgery, preferred surgical technique (ureteric narrowing with reimplantation), and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Indications for surgery included pain, infection, progressive dilatation, and reduced glomerular filtration rate.
- Children required surgical management for successful outcomes.
- Adults could be managed conservatively in some cases.
- Surgical results were less satisfactory in adults compared to children, potentially due to reduced ureteral elastic tissue.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric primary obstructed megaureters necessitate surgical intervention.
- Conservative management may be suitable for adults.
- The Politano-Leadbetter technique is preferred, but outcomes differ between pediatric and adult populations.
Abstract:
The clinical presentation and management of 57 primary obstructed megaureters in 46 patients, 35 of whom were children, are reported. Indications for operation include pain, infection, progressive pyelo-ureteric dilatation and reduction in the glomerular filtration rate. We have found that affected children cannot be managed successfully without operation. Conservative treatment may be employed effectively in adults in whom the condition is often stable and complications are less frequent. The preferred surgical technique is ureteric narrowing with reimplantation to the bladder by the Politano-Leadbetter method. The results of surgery are less satisfactory in adults than in children. This may be related to the reduced quantity of elastic tissue in the ureteric wall in adult cases.
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