Indications and outcomes of the cuff-nipple ureteroneocystotomy

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INTRODUCTION

Infants and children with obstruction or structural weakness of the uretero-vesical junction (UVJ) may require surgical repair. Re-implantation of a dilated ureter into a small capacity and/or scarred bladder following failed surgery, can represent a major surgical challenge. Herein a report on the outcome of the cuff-nipple method of ureteroneocystotomy in these difficult cases.

METHODS

From 1995 to 2016, 50 megaureters of 33 infants (3-10 months) and 12 abnormal ureters of 10 children (3-7 years old), underwent ureteroneocystotomy using a combination of a short submucosal tunneling and cuff-nipple methods. The primary indications were repeated break-through pyelonephritis while on prophylaxis and/or worsening hydronephrosis. The clinical abnormalities were: obstructed megaureters (21 megaureters/17 infants), reflux megaureters (29/16), and repeat surgery in 12 ureters of 10 children (6/5 failed reimplantation, 4/4 post renal transplantation, 2/1 bladder exstrophy). Radionuclide renal scans showed reflux nephropathy in 23/37 kidneys. Postoperatively ultrasound studies (US) and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) were performed in 41/43 children.

RESULTS

Follow up ranged between 6 months and 12 years. Post-operative VCUG (3-6 mos.) showed no evidence of VUR in 55/60 ureters (91.6%). US at 3, 6, and 12 months indicated improved or unchanged upper tract dilation in 51/60 (85%) kidneys, however, 7/43 (16%) developed recurrent bacteriuria.

CONCLUSION

The time-tested Paquin (1959) dogma of tunnel:width ratio of 5:1 was challenged by Lyons et al. (1969). Their contention was that the shape of the ureteral orifice (UO) is more important than tunnel length for correction of VUR. Recently Villaneuva et al. (2015) performed a parametric simulation study of ureteral collapse (LS-DYNA finite-element software). The changes in the pressure required to collapse the ureter were evaluated with each variable (tunnel length, ureteral diameter, and ureteral thickness/stiffness). Their studies showed that the pressure required to collapse the ureter was inversely related to the diameter of ureter and a 1 cm tunnel length would allow the ureter to collapse under a low pressure. They proposed the creation of a better UO, which the cuff-nipple does, would contribute to an efficient ureteral collapse, i.e. reflux prevention. These observations would explain the high success rate which was achieved by the reported cuff-nipple technique.

Funding: None