Conservative management of vesicoureteric reflux in the congenital neurogenic bladder

A series of 31 patients with congenital neurogenic bladder in which vesicoureteric reflux was managed conservatively by methods designed to improve voiding function is reported. Satisfactory results, in terms of the appearance of the upper urinary tracts on IVU, were obtained by indwelling urethral catheter, or by alpha-adrenergic blockade, internal urethrotomy or external urethral sphincterotomy; in the case of the last 3 procedures this was accompanied by diminution or resolution of vesicoureteric reflux. Less satisfactory results were obtained by intermittent self catheterisation and in patients managed in this way a case exists for ureteric reimplantation.