title: Urological problems after surgical treatment of scoliosis in children with myelomeningocele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed urological problems and complications after scoliosis surgery in children with myelomeningocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 children with myelodysplasia underwent surgery for scoliosis using different surgical techniques and instrumentation systems. Mean patient age at operation as 11 years and mean postoperative followup was 3 years. All patients had urological assessment before and after surgery, including urodynamics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urological problems after surgical correction of scoliosis developed in 6 patients (38%). Three girls had difficulty performing clean intermittent self-catheterization postoperatively because of altered body posture, a genital pressure sore and a plaster body cast, respectively. In 4 patients, including 1 girl with problems performing clean intermittent self-catheterization, lower urinary tract function was altered, leading to upper urinary tract deterioration in 1 and worsening of urinary incontinence in 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with myelomeningocele have a high incidence of urological complications after surgical treatment of scoliosis. Anticipation of the problems and a thorough postoperative urological evaluation, including urodynamics, can reduce morbidity and facilitate appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Urology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Hospital for Children, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Boemers
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Soorani-Lunsing
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Pruijs
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology