title: Evaluation of the Initial Treatment of Ureteroceles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the results of the initial therapeutic approach to ureteroceles at our institution and the need for further interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of all pediatric cases of ureterocele diagnosed at our center between January 2000 and December 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three patients were analyzed. Initial diagnoses were ureterohydronephrosis in 34 (33 prenatal), febrile urinary tract infection in 5, and prolapsed ureterocele in 3. Expectant management was decided upon in 6 patients (14%). Of these, 1 required surgery. The remaining 37 (86%) initially underwent surgery: transurethral puncture (18), heminephrectomy (14), nephrectomy (3), and reimplantation (2). Twelve (66.6%) of the 18 patients who underwent primary puncture progressed well and required no further intervention. New-onset vesicoureteral reflux to the upper pole appeared after puncture in 3 patients, but none required treatment. Only 6 patients (33.3%) underwent a second procedure. Mean follow-up was 8.5 years (standard deviation: 3.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early endoscopic puncture is useful for decompression and often the definitive treatment. Although new-onset vesicoureteral reflux into the punctured system is the most common complication, it often resolves spontaneously. Early heminephrectomy in patients with nonfunctioning upper moieties yields excellent results but may not be necessary. Some patients may not need transurethral puncture or any surgical intervention at all.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Urology Group, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: romygander@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Romy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gander
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Urology Group, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asensio
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Urology Group, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Gloria Fatou
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Royo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lloret
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014518:Ureterocele / Q000628:therapy*