4-HOUR VOIDING OBSERVATION IN YOUNG BOYS WITH POSTERIOR URETHRAL VALVES

Purpose: We evaluated 4-hour voiding observation as a method of basic assessment of bladder dysfunction in young boys with posterior urethra l valves. Materials and Methods: Voiding pattern, including number of voids, voided and residual urine volume, and bladder capacity, was det ermined noninvasively in 24 boys younger than 4 years with posterior u rethral valves and compared to that of healthy age matched controls. R esults were then compared to those of standard cystometry. Results: Th e number of voids was higher, voided volume was smaller and residual u rine volume was higher in the posterior urethral valve group. There wa s no difference in voiding pattern before and after removal of the ana tomical obstruction. Voided and residual urine volume, and bladder cap acity were higher on standard cystometry than on voiding observation. Conclusions: Four-hour voiding observation is an easy noninvasive meth od that focuses on emptying difficulties and clearly detects differenc es in voiding patterns between boys with posterior urethral valves and healthy, nontoilet trained children. We recommend the method as a com plement to standard cystometry for the diagnosis and followup of bladd er dysfunction in young boys with posterior urethral valves to identif y the need for treatment.