title: The effect of untethering on urologic symptoms and urodynamic parameters in children with primary tethered cord syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate urinary system symptoms (USSs) and urodynamic parameters (UPs) before and after untethering in children with primary tethered cord syndrome (pTCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  USSs and UPs of patients undergoing untethering for pTCS during the period January 2008-July 2012 were evaluated preoperatively and at the postoperative third and 12th months. For analysis, patients were separated into 4 groups according to the presence of USSs: group 1, USSs preoperative positive and postoperative negative; group 2, USSs preoperative positive and postoperative positive; group 3, USSs preoperative negative and postoperative positive; group 4, USSs preoperative negative and postoperative negative. Preoperative and postoperative USSs and UPs were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty patients (average age, 7.2 years, follow-up of 2.8 years) were included. There were 13 patients in group 1, 11 in group 2, 3 in group 3, and 13 in group 4. All patients showed improvement when preoperative and postoperative USSs and UPs were compared. There was no correlation between USSs and UPs, both preoperatively and postoperatively. USSs and UPs at the postoperative third and 12th months were similar. Patients with no USS showed the most significant improvement in UP after untethering.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study has demonstrated that untethering in patients with pTCS improves urologic symptoms and UPs. However, there is no correlation between improvement in symptoms and urodynamic findings. Urodynamic changes are similar at the postoperative third and 12th months. As the most significant improvement was seen in patients without USSs, it is important that these patients undergo urodynamic studies preoperatively and postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yener
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pendik State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: David Terence
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tufan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hicdonmez
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dagcinar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bayri
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Urodynamics and Biofeedback Unit, Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayten
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaynak
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tolga E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Dagli
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: htugtepe@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tugtepe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014563:Urodynamics