The effect of sterile ureteral reflux on intact and diverted upper urinary tracts

We studied the effect of sterile ureteral reflux on intact and diverted upper urinary tracts. Five dogs underwent transvesical left ureteral meatotomy and anastomosis of the right ureter to a refluxing ileal conduit. Several normal nonrefluxing renal units were also studied. At 6 months, renal function studies were not significantly different among control, ilealureteral, and vesicoureteral refluxing renal units. No radiographic or histopathologic abnormalities were observed in experimental renal units. Sterile intestinalureteral and vesicoureteral reflux do not seem to cause functional or morphologic renal damage.