Transpelvic anastomotic stenting: a good option for diversion after pyeloplasty in children.

Purpose Several options are available to drain the renal pelvis after a dysmembered pyeloplasty. The purpose of our study was to review the results of transrenal pelvic transanastomotic stenting following ureteropelvic junction obstruction pyeloplasty (UPJO). Patients and methods A retrospective chart review of 238 patients with UPJO (243 renal units) treated in 2004–2007. The patients were divided into 4 groups (1): renal units with very poor function (<10% uptake) having undergone nephrostomy tube placement, with pyeloplasty performed 1 month later for those with improved renal function, and nephrectomy for those with no improvement (2); pyeloplasty without diversion (3); pyeloplasty diverted with transrenal pelvis transanastomotic stenting (4); pyeloplasties diverted with both stents and Foley catheters; the stents used were 5 Fr or 6 Fr feeding tubes. Results Group 1: 13 nephrectomies and 31 pyeloplasties diverted with stents and Foley catheters; 1/31 re-do pyeloplasty. Group 2: 33 pyeloplasties that were performed without diversion or stenting; 2/33 required re-do pyeloplasty. Group 3: 122 pyeloplasties diverted with only stents inserted through renal pelvis with 1 nephrostomy due to urine leakage, 2 prolonged urine leaks that ceased spontaneously, 1 urinary infection, no re-do pyeloplasty needed. Group 4: 44 pyeloplasties that were performed with stents and nephrostomy tubes, 2 delays of removal of Foley catheters, no re-do pyeloplasty needed. Conclusions Transrenal pelvis transanastomotic stenting using a feeding tube is a good option for diverting urine following dysmembered pyeloplasty in children.