title: Endoscopic treatment of reflux by subureteric collagen injection: critical review of 5 years' experience.
abstract: In the past decade, subureteric endoscopic injection of Teflon or collagen has been propagated as a safe and successful treatment for vesicoureteral reflux. In our center, from 1990 through 1995, 118 children and 5 adults with reflux and recurrent urinary tract infections were injected with cross-linked bovine collagen in an open, prospective study. Efficacy and safety were assessed 6 and 12 months after injection, and long-term (> or =3 years) results were available in 78 cases. The overall success rate was 58% (64% of ureteral units) free from reflux at 12 months and 54% (58%) after 3 years. Analysis of anatomic, urodynamic, and technical features showed the grade of reflux to be the best predictor of success or failure. When only primary low- and middle-grade reflux, without concomitant anatomic disorders, is considered, the long-term success rate rose to 69% (74% of ureteral units). In conclusion, subureteric collagen injection cannot ultimately replace the highly effective surgical reimplantation. However, the procedure offers a minimally invasive alternative in selected cases of mild reflux when conservative management is inadequate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frankenschmidt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katzenwadel
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Zimmerhackl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sommerkamp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018666:Ureteroscopy
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen