EXTRAVESICAL DETRUSORRHAPHY FOR VESICOURETERAL REFLUX IN CHILDREN

Extravesical detrusorrhaphy is a simple and safe approach to antireflu x surgery; however, its use in Taiwan has seldom been reported. We rep ort the outcomes of 15 patients (23 ureters) with primary vesicoureter al reflux who underwent extravesical detrusorrhaphy between January 19 95 and April 1996, and describe the surgical technique. Overall, vesic oureteral reflux was cured in 22 of 23 ureters. Postoperative morbidit y and complications were minimal. None of the patients had obstruction or significant hematuria. The discomfort related to bladder spasms du ring the postoperative period was subjectively decreased compared to t he conventional transvesical technique. There was transient voiding in efficiency in three patients, as well as urinary retention in one, whi ch resolved spontaneously after 4 weeks of Foley catheter drainage. Ou r experience showed that detrusorrhaphy is an effective way to correct vesicoureteral reflux with minimal morbidity and discomfort. Proper p atient selection and strict adherence to the surgical principle are im portant for high success rates.