Posterior urethral valves managed by cutaneous ureterostomy with subsequent ureteral reconstruction

Six boys, 2 weeks to 5 years old, underwent cutaneous ureterostomy for massively dilated upper urinary tracts secondary to obstruction by posterior urethral valves. Cutaneous ureterostomies had been performed elsewhere in 2 patients. Two patients underwent transurethral fulguration of the valves initially with no improvement. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and serum electrolyte values continued to increase and, therefore, cutaneous ureterostomies were performed with dramatic improvement. Two patients presented with sepsis, one of whom had a positive blood culture. Both children had severe pyonephrosis and after the conditions improved with medical treatment cutaneous ureterostomies were done. The total number of surgical procedures required for all patients was 59, including renal biopsies, nephrostomies and cystoscopies. No kidneys, except for the severely dysplastic ones, were lost and all patients resumed normal growth rates and have had no urinary tract infections. All laboratory values are within normal limits.