On-table urodynamic with ureteric occlusion: A resource for measuring bladder capacity and compliance in the management of patients with gross vesico-ureteric reflux.

AIM: To describe a technique for on-table urodynamic with ureteric occlusion (OUUO) and present a case series comparing bladder capacity and pressure measurements performed with and without ureteric occlusion in patients with gross vesico-ureteric reflux (grade ≥ IV VUR) to highlight the clinical utility.

METHODS

We performed OUUO in seven patients who were being considered for surgical management of VUR and/or nephro-ureterectomy. We occluded the refluxing ureters using hysterosalpingogram catheters (HSG, single lumen 5.5 Fr catheter with 1.5 ml balloon), guidewires, and rigid cystoscope. A 6 Fr dual-lumen urodynamic (UD) catheter is then inserted into the bladder to perform OUUO. Bladder capacity and Compliance (C = ∆bladder volume/∆detrusor pressure) are recorded and compared with values obtained at standard UD (without ureteric occlusion).

RESULTS

The age range of the seven patients was 2.0-15.5 years. The etiology for the gross VUR were posterior urethral valve (PUV) and neuropathic. The bladder capacity and compliance finding between UD and OUUO findings were comparable in five patients. However, there was a clinically significant difference in bladder capacity (20%-50% decrease) and compliance (50%-90%) between UD and OUUO findings in two out of seven patients.

CONCLUSION

In the presence of gross VUR, OUUO allows for a potentially more accurate assessment of bladder capacity and compliance. OUUO should be considered when planning ureteric opening bulking/reimplantation and nephro-ureterectomy.