title: Long-term followup of children treated with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer for vesicoureteral reflux.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer is a novel substance that has favorable properties for endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. We assess the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment of children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children 1 to 15 years old with grade III or greater vesicoureteral reflux were eligible for enrollment in our study. All patients received endoscopic treatment with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer and were scheduled to have a voiding cystourethrogram 3 and 12 months after implantation. Children with reflux grade III or greater after treatment received up to 2 more implantations, and those with persistent reflux were referred for open surgery. In some cases long-term clinical followup was accompanied by a late voiding cystourethrogram.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 228 patients received endoscopic treatment. The efficacy population was comprised of 221 children, including 67 who received 2 and 8 who received 3 implantations. Endoscopic treatment was performed without complications in all cases. Patients were followed clinically for 2 to 7.5 years (mean 5). On the last voiding cystourethrogram 68% of patients had a positive response (grade I or less) and 81% had no dilating reflux. The corresponding results for treated ureters were 75% and 85%, respectively. Only 27 (12%) patients were referred for open surgery. A late voiding cystourethrogram was performed in 49 patients 2 to 5 years after treatment. Of the ureters free of reflux (grade 0) 3 to 12 months after treatment 96% remained free of dilating reflux. Adverse events occurred in association with implantation in only 2% of patients, although urinary tract infection subsequently developed in 8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic treatment with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer was effective and well tolerated in children with vesicoureteral reflux. Long-term followup indicated that there was no deterioration in patients responding positively to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Section of Urology, University Children's Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Läckgren
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wåhlin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sköldenberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003911:Dextrans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011108:Polymers; C013471:dextranomer; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid