Abstract

Objective: We investigated the use and success rates of subtrigonal injection, which does not have the possible postoperative problems of open surgery, in complicated vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) cases due to anatomical or functional causes.

Materials and methods: Endoscopic subtrigonal injection was performed by two experienced pediatric urologists in 64 ureters with complicated VUR for 45 patients (33 girls, 12 boys) with a mean age of 3.1 years (range 1.2-16). All patients were followed up for a mean of 33 (range 9-60) months and underwent voiding cystogram at the postoperative 3rd month. Injection material (dextranomer-hyaluronic acid copolymer) with a mean volume of 1.2 (range 0.7-2.1) mL was injected per ureter. 

Results: The procedure was successful in 39 of 64 ureters with reflux (61%) regardless of age, gender, and diagnosis. Success rate was 78% after the reenjection in 10 patients. All refluxes except one with paraureteral diverticule in one orifice ‘Y/V’ duplicated systems were cured after the first or second injection. Endoscopic treatment was performed in 7 ureters for 6 patients with ongoing reflux after extravesical ureteroneocystostomy, and 3 ureters were cured after the first injection and there was no reflux in one ureter after the second injection. In 5 patients in these two groups prophylaxis was stopped, and patients were followed without reimplantation for the decrease in reflux grade and no existing clinical problem. During the follow-up none of the patients demonstrated urinary tract infection.

Conclusion: Subtrigonal injection is an acceptable choice of treatment for complicated VUR cases with appropriate injection material and technique in experienced hands. However, reimplantation should not be ignored in the treatment of these patients.