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Background: The role of the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) in the follow-up of children with posterior urethral valves (PUVs) post-ablation has been considered a standard practice. The urethral ratio and gradient of change have proven to be useful. Objectives: We aimed to review the role of the 'ideal' ratio on predicting residual PUV post-ablation. Methods: A systematic review of the PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases was performed (April 2019). The search terms included 'Urethral Ratio and Posterior urethral valve ablation'. All cited reference lists were further evaluated for additional inclusive studies. Results: Eleven studies were identified, of which nine were relevant to the topic. Case reports, comments and adult and animal studies were excluded, leaving four studies for critical review. In total, 338 patients were assessed. The control group consisted of 167 age-matched, male children. Study regions included India and Australia. The ages ranged from 15 days to 3.4 years. Ablation methods included the use of a resectoscope with cutting diathermy, cold knife or Bugbee electrode. The mean urethral ratios in the control group ranged from 1.04 to 1.73. The suggested predictive urethral cut-off ratios recommended include 2.2 (p = 0.001), 2.5–3 and 3.5. Conclusion: Although the precise cut-off ratio could not be clearly defined in this review, a urethral ratio less than a range of 2.2–3.5 has proven to be a beneficial predictor of ablation success and should thus be incorporated into standard VCUG reporting templates in the follow-up of PUVs in male children in resource-limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-term renal deterioration is common in patients with posterior urethral valves (PUV), and early identification of detrimental factors can help in counselling patients as well as in guiding future therapy. The aim of our study was (1) to evaluate urinary transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and microalbuminuria before and after ablation of PUV and (2) to examine the effect of early induction of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) on renal recovery. Methods: The study included 30 patients with diagnosed PUV. Urinary cytokines were measured pre-operatively and post-operatively for 1 year. The study group was subdivided into two subgroups at 6 months after surgery. Group 1 included 16 patients whose urinary TGF-β level showed a declining trend. Group 2 included 14 patients whose urinary TGF-β showed a rising trend or plateaued; these patients were started on ACE-I therapy, which they received for at least 6 months. Results: Urinary TGF-β, TNF-α and microalbumin levels were high in patients with PUV. In Group 1 patients, urinary TGF-β TNF-α and microalbumin levels fell significantly following valve ablation and continued to decline for 12 months. In Group 2 patients, after an initial fall following valve ablation, urinary TGF-β, TNF-α and microalbumin showed a continued rise until 6 months post-surgery. After ACE-I therapy, there was 53.43 % fall in urinary TGF-β, 43.15 % fall in microalbuminuria, 28.57 % improvement in split renal function and 35.80 % improvement in GFR. Conclusions: Based on our results, urinary TGF-β, urinary TNF-α and microalbuminuria can be used as biomarkers for the early recognition of ongoing renal damage in patients with PUV. ACE-I plays a role in retarding renal damage in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Our experience of 4 cases of urethral duplication is reported here. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review. Results: The age at presentation varied from newborn to 10 years. The clinical presentation ranged from prepubic sinus to diphallus urethra. There were 2 each incomplete duplication with only external openings (Type IA) and complete duplication of Effmann Type IIA2. All underwent complete excision of accessory urethra and corrections of associated anomalies. Conclusions: Urethral duplications have a varied presentation. At follow up, all are asymptomatic with good cosmetic result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are not many studies on long term follow up of children following surgery for posterior urethral valve in India. This study was done to assess the growth and renal function of children who had completed five years after surgery for posterior urethral valve at our hospital. Thirty children were included in this study. They were assessed retrospectively for the age and pattern of presentation, time of surgery and outcome. Outcomes measured were stunting, renal failure (GFR, tubular functions) and bladder functions. Fifty per cent of children were symptomatic five years after surgery with enuresis, dribbling, polyuria and recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). GFR was <60 ml/m/1.73 m² in 33%. Growth failure, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, was present in one-third of children. A low GFR was associated with growth failure. Poor bladder function evidenced by history of dribbling and significant residual urine was seen in one-third of patients. Residual hydronephrosis was seen in 74%. The most common presenting symptoms of PUV were poor urinary stream followed by recurrent UTI, poor weight gain, renal failure and abdominal mass. Eighty per cent of the study population had undergone surgery in infancy. Five years after surgery, 50% children were symptomatic; 30% had stunting. 33% had a GFR <60 ml/m/1.73 m² and a significantly greater degree of stunting than those with GFR >60 ml/m/1.73 m². Sonologically normal kidneys on follow-up were associated with a GFR above 60 ml/m/1.73 m2. Poor bladder function was present in 30% of the children. Univariate analysis showed that statistically significant risk factors for decline in GFR in this study are oligohydramnios and surgery beyond the neonatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We compared posterior urethral strictures after pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects in India and Italy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients in India and Italy who underwent repair for posterior urethral stricture after pelvic fracture urethral distraction defect. We investigated etiology, emergency treatment type, the specialist involved in emergency treatment, the type of stricture resulting from trauma and primary repair, posterior urethroplasty techniques and results. Results: Of 255 patients with a median age of 33 years 117 (45.8%) and 138 (54.2%) were evaluated in India and Italy, respectively. In India the most common causes of pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects were pedestrian (35%), motorcycle (26.5%) and bicycle (12.8%) accidents. The most common emergency treatment was suprapubic cystostomy (79.5% of cases). Of the patients 70.1% were treated in emergency fashion by a surgeon and 85.4% had complex posterior urethral strictures. The most common technique was anastomosis with inferior and total pubectomy in 56.4% and 15.3% of cases, respectively. In Italy the etiology was mainly automobile accidents (39.2%). The most common emergency treatment was endoscopic realignment (49.2% of cases). Of the patients 92.7% were treated in emergency fashion by a urologist and 68.1% had simple urethral strictures. Perineal anastomosis and laser urethrotomy were the most used techniques (38.4% and 21.1% of cases, respectively). In India 92 cases (78.6%) were successful and 25 (21.4%) failed while in Italy 120 (86.9%) were successful and 18 (13.1%) failed. Median followup was 74 months (range 12 to 239). Conclusions: Differences in emergency treatment for pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects influence the choice of delayed posterior repair and results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Anterior urethral valve is an uncommon abnormality with a few case reports published from the Indian subcontinent. It has been traditionally thought that these are usually associated with urethral diverticulum. Aim: We present this abnormality in two adolescents along with the diagnostic pathway and treatment outcome six month after surgery. Materials and Methods: A fifteen year old boy reported to the OPD with complaint of straining at micturition. He had been previously seen by several doctors and dismissed as having no problem. The complain was quite vague and appropriate history was not forthcoming, but mum thought all had been well! As an initial non invasive examination, uroflowmetry was done. This revealed an unusual delay in initiating micturition and a flat curve with a low Qmax of only 4.5 ml/sec. Therefore a micturating cystourethrogram was performed.This revealed a dilated posterior and anterior urethra upto penile urethra with abrupt transition into a small caliber urethra. In absence of any history of previous trauma, a diagnosis of anterior urethral valve was made. He underwent an endoscopic examination and a complete membrane was present in penile urethra with 2-3 small apertures. Endoscopic division was performed with opening of the urethra. A week later an uroflowmetry revealed a Qmax of > 30 ml/mt. The second boy was 8 years old and has a similar story. Both had no upper tract changes and remain on follow up 6 and 12 months after surgery. Discussion: Anterior urethral valve is a distinct entity and not a part of the urethral diverticulum as commonly mentioned. The entire published literature on anterior urethral valve reveals that in terms of outcome, these children fare better and majority need mere endoscopic division of the valve. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion should be maintained to pick up this diagnosis. Uroflowmetry is a good starting point to initiate investigation in a seemingly asymptomatic child as many parents may not want a MCU straightaway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most commonly performed operation to repair distal hypospadias is the Tubularised incised plate (TIP) repair. The key step is midline incision of the urethral plate, which widens a narrow plate and converts a flat into a deep plate groove, ensuring a vertical, slit neomeatus and a normal-calibre neourethra. At times in cases of proximal hypospadias, the urethral plate is very narrow and needs to be augmented or substituted for further tubularisation. We report our experience with primary single stage dorsal inlay urethroplasty using preputial skin grafts., Patients and Methods: Children with proximal hypospadias with a narrow urethral plate formed the study group. Children needing transection of the urethral plate, having undergone circumcision/hypospadias repair previously or having an inadequate prepuce was excluded., Results: Twelve children with a mean age of 48.83 months underwent primary dorsal inlay preputial graft urethroplasty for proximal hypospadias with a very narrow urethral plate. At an average follow-up of 42.16 months, 2 (16.66%) children had a breakdown of ventral shaft skin. None of the children had meatal stenosis, and none of these 12 children developed urethrocutaneous fistula., Conclusion: Primary dorsal inlay inner preputial graft urethroplasty successfully fulfills all traditional hypospadias repair criteria. It offers a viable, safe, rapid and easy option in the management of proximal hypospadias with a narrow urethral plate.

Objective: To document our experience (at a tertiary health care center) of reconstruction of the urethra in 3 male patients suffering from aphallia and congenital urethrorectal fistula as well as their long-term follow-up., Methods: Extensive single-stage urethroplasty in 3 patients suffering from aphallia was performed. Prior to that, neophallus reconstruction was done in all 3 patients after puberty. In a single stage, we used oral mucosa and pedicled penile skin onlay for anterior urethra reconstruction and groin-based pedicle (Singapore) flap for posterior urethra substitution surgery. The current follow-up is between 2 and 5 years. During the last follow-up, the patients also answered questions from a validated patient-reported outcome measure and quality of life questionnaire., Results: All the 3 patients are voiding well in the standing position with a mean Q(max) of 14 ml/s. None of them has any problems related to the neourethra as per their last follow-up. All 3 patients were satisfied with the surgical procedures related to the aphallia correction and stated that the surgery did not interfere with the quality of their lives., Conclusion: Reconstruction of the urethra from pedicled skin flap combined with buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty gives durable and satisfactory long-term results., (Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Aims: Infertility in patients with posterior urethral valves (PUV) is known but the exact incidence and etiology is still speculative; it may be partly due to dysfunction of genital organs. The aim of this study is to analyse the hormonal profile of post-pubertal patients with PUV., Materials and Methods: All post-pubertal patients with posterior urethral valves (age > 16 years) visiting the follow-up urology clinic of our department from 1985 to December 1999 were contacted and requested to participate in the study; 9 patients agreed and form the study group. The medical records were reviewed. Physical examination included examination of the genitalia and secondary sexual characteristics. Blood samples were taken for estimation of lutenizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and testosterone., Results: Ages ranged from 16 - 21 years (mean age = 17.5 years). Physical examination was normal for the entire study group except for 2 patients; one patient had hypertension and the other had unilateral undescended testis at the time of initial presentation. Secondary sexual characteristics were normal in all patients. At the time of the study, one patient had chronic renal failure; in the others the renal function tests were normal. LH and testosterone were normal in all patients including the patient with unilateral undescended testis, and one patient had marginally elevated FSH. Hyperprolactinemia was noted in 5 of 9 patients., Conclusion: In the present study, hyperprolactinemia was seen in 62 % (5 of 9) patients. Hyperprolactinemia is known to cause slow ejaculation and can have an impact on the subsequent fertility status of these patients. The bearing of these findings on subsequent sexual and fertility functions of PUV patients requires further investigation.

Of 200 consecutive cases of posterior urethral valves (PUV) managed in a single institution, 26 underwent bilateral high loop ureterostomy (BU) as their first operative intervention. Indications for BU were persistently raised serum creatinine levels after bladder drainage, severe urosepsis, and urinary ascites, especially in a neonate or infant. After a median period of 1 year of diversion, the serum creatinine fell from a median value of 2.5 to 0.6 mg%. Twelve cases have been fully undiverted without deleterious effects (median serum creatinine level 0.5 mg%). Three patients died. Of the 14 renal units with documented persistent vesicoureteric reflux at the time of undiversion, only 1 has been reimplanted. One child has undergone bladder augmentation.

An unusual variant of penile agenesis with a high rectal termination of the urethra is reported. The difficulties faced in the management of this case and the possible aetiology of this rare anomaly are discussed.