The significance of urine leak after pyeloplasty

The records of 126 pyeloplasties were reviewed to discover the relationship, if any, between the duration of urine leak after surgery and the success or failure of the procedure. Half of the cases drained urine for 7 days or less. In 26 patients the urine leak lasted from 15 to 28 days: in 23 of the 26 the outcome was successful. It is concluded that a urine leak of up to 28 days' duration is not of itself an indication for further interference. A breakdown of cases into type of operation and status of the operator (consultant or trainee) revealed no significant differences.