Intermittent voiding per urethra as an indicator of cutaneous vesicostomy malfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To present a new approach for management of cutaneous vesicostomy (CV) prolapse, with special emphasis on normal appearing vesicostomy may be malfunctioning. To introduce the application of temporary stoma-free drainage as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.


METHODS
From December 2000 to September 2006, 66 children (61 males and 5 females) with CV were studied. The mean age at vesicostomy was 7 months (range 1-30), and the main underlying disease was posterior urethral valves (in 45 children, 68%). Indications for CV included significant hydroureteronephrosis (HUN) and recurrent urinary tract infection. Patients were followed up for complications and were treated based on our institutional approach. All patients with persistent upper tract dilatation and micturition per urethra underwent temporary bladder (via stoma) free drainage. Patients with stomal stenosis were managed either by a revision surgery or by simple dilatation and intermittent catheterization. Purse string suturing was applied in mucosal prolapses as the first choice.


RESULTS
The complications were observed in 21 patients (31%), including twelve stomal stenosis, nine severe mucosal prolapses, and two recurrent urinary infections. HUN and significant voiding per urethra persisted following initial CV in 19 out of 66 patients (29%), eleven of which having normal appearing CVs. Seventeen of these patients were managed by temporary stoma-free drainage (accompanied by purse string suturing in mucosal prolapse), and two patients with severe stenosis underwent surgical revision. Temporary stoma-free drainage improved HUN in 94% of patients (16 of 17).


CONCLUSIONS
Voiding per urethra is an indicator of CV malfunction, and temporary stoma-free drainage can be a diagnostic and therapeutic option in such children. A seemingly open CV may still be malfunctioning, and ureterovesical or intravesical obstructions should be considered if HUN does not improve following temporary stoma-free drainage.
Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology Research Center, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Pediatric Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, No.62, Dr. Gharib's Street, Keshavarz Boulevard, 1419733151, Tehran, Iran.
Asal
A
Hojjat
Abdol-Mohammad
AM
Kajbafzadeh
Alireza
A
Sina
Tina
T
Mazaheri
Mona Vahidi
MV
Rad
Behtash Ghazi
BG
Nezami
Payam
P
Mohammadinejad
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003559:Cystostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004106:Dilatation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane; D011391:Prolapse; D012086:Reoperation; D014521:Urethra / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014554:Urination