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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
A Murine Model of Irreversible and Reversible Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction
Published on: December 20, 2014
Posterior urethral valves managed by cutaneous ureterostomy with subsequent ureteral reconstruction
Insights
Cutaneous ureterostomy effectively treated posterior urethral valves in young boys, resolving urinary tract dilation and improving kidney function. This surgical intervention led to normal growth and no further infections in patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Surgical Intervention
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- Posterior urethral valves cause severe urinary tract obstruction in infants and children.
- Massively dilated upper urinary tracts necessitate effective management strategies.
Observation:
- Six boys aged 2 weeks to 5 years with posterior urethral valves underwent cutaneous ureterostomy.
- Two patients initially received transurethral fulguration without success, necessitating ureterostomy.
- Two patients presented with sepsis and severe pyonephrosis, later treated with ureterostomy.
Findings:
- Cutaneous ureterostomy resulted in dramatic improvement in renal function, indicated by normalized blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and electrolyte levels.
- All patients experienced normal growth rates post-surgery.
- No kidneys were lost, except for dysplastic ones, and all patients remained free of urinary tract infections.
Implications:
- Cutaneous ureterostomy is a viable and effective treatment for complex posterior urethral valve obstruction in pediatric patients.
- Early surgical intervention can prevent irreversible renal damage and long-term complications.
- This procedure supports normal development and quality of life in affected children.
Abstract:
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.
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