Introduction and Objectives: Stented open pyeloplasty is widely used in pediatric urology practice. Our aim is to present our experience with stentless pyeloplasty in children.
Materials and Methods: Between June 2009 to July 2012, 46 children had open Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty using 2.5-3 cm flank incision. The children were prospectively randomized to 2 groups: stentless pyeloplasty (25 children) and stented pyeloplasty (21 children). Both groups were compared regards length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, success rates and number of surgical procedures needed to achieve success.
Results: Both groups were comparable regards age (median 6 months each), sex, pre-operative hydronephrosis (HN) and split renal function. Median drain removal time and hospital stay were 2 days and 3 days in the stentless and stented groups, respectively (p<0.001). Resolution or minimal residual HN was noticed postoperatively after median time of 4 months (range 2-12) for stentless group and after 4 months (range 2-14) in the stented group (p=0.568). Recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction developed in one patient in each group. Median number of surgical procedures needed to achieve success was 1 vs. 2 for the stentless and stented groups, respectively (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Open stentless pyeloplasty in children is feasible with shorter hospital stay and fewer surgical procedures.