A plea for antireflux operations in adults: review of 50 cases

The results of antireflux operations in 41 cases of primary and 9 cases of secondary vesicoureteral reflux in adults are presented. Reflux was eliminated in all cases and there were no postoperative complications. Most patients had a long history of urinary tract infection preoperatively, which was eliminated in 64.1 per cent of the cases after surgical correction of the reflux. A relapse of infection occurred in 30.8 per cent of these cases. Chronic pyelonephritis remains active in 5.1 per cent of the cases. There were 6 patients with serum creatinine levels higher than 1.8 mg. per cent who underwent a successful antireflux procedure without an increase of serum creatinine levels. An antireflux operation should be preferred over long-term conservative management in most cases of symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux in adults less than 50 years old.