Voiding dysfunction after bilateral extravesical detrusorrhaphy

Extravesical detrusorrhaphy has been successful for correcting unilateral vesicoureteral reflux, although its use in bilateral ureteral reimplantation has been questioned because of a reportedly high incidence of significant postoperative voiding dysfunction. We reviewed the incidence of voiding dysfunction after bilateral extravesical detrusorrhaphy during the last 5 years.

From 1990 to 1995, 123 patients with a mean age of 5.8 years (231 refluxing renal units) underwent bilateral extravesical detrusorrhaphy. Patients requiring anticholinergic therapy or intermittent catheterization at surgery were excluded from study, although in 6 who were included voiding dysfunction had previously resolved.

Grades I and II vesicoureteral reflux persisted in 1 and 3 renal units, respectively, representing a 98.3% success rate. There was no postoperative upper urinary tract obstruction. Postoperatively voiding dysfunction developed in 8 patients (6.5%), including 2 with a history of voiding dysfunction. In 3 cases (2.5%) irritative voiding symptoms controlled with oxybutynin chloride resolved 2, 4 and 24 months postoperatively, respectively. In 5 patients (4%) temporary incomplete bladder emptying and/or urinary retention required outpatient Foley catheter drainage or intermittent catheterization for 2 to 21 days.

Bilateral extravesical detrusorrhaphy is a highly successful procedure with a low incidence of significant voiding dysfunction. Should this condition develop, in our experience it is transient and of minimal morbidity. We found an increased rate of postoperative voiding dysfunction in younger patients as well as in those with a history of resolved voiding dysfunction.