Outcome study of lower pole heminephrectomy in children

Objective. This study assessed the role and long-term outcome of lower pole heminephrectomy in the treatments of non-functioning lower renal moieties in children with duplex kidneys. Material and methods. In a period of 10 years 31 lower pole heminephrectomies were performed in 30 patients with duplex systems. Eight patients were diagnosed prenatally, 24 patients (80%) presented with urinary tract infection and three (10%) with vomiting and failure to thrive, and five patients also had other symptoms. The indication for lower pole heminephroureterectomy was reflux nephropathy in non-functioning lower pole in 28 patients (93%), pelviureteric junction obstruction in one patient (3%) and cystic dysplasia in one patient (3%). The surgical technique used was a combination of anterolateral loin incision plus right or left inguinal incision in 28 patients (90%). Results. The operative course was uneventful, no blood transfusion were required, and no damage to the upper pole moiety or upper pole ureter was observ...