[Ultrasound markers in the follow up of pyeloplasty].

Introduction: There are few studies on the long term follow up of pyeloplasty. Is there a residual pelvis dilatation in all successful procedures? How is the long term evolution of the ecographic parameters and measures postoperatively (PO)?

Patients And Methods: We reviewed all successful Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasties performed on obstructed renal pelvis with an anterio-posterior diameter >15 mm during 2001-2010. Ultrasound controls were made at 3 and 6 months postoperatively and then yearly afterwards. We aimed to describe time course of hydronephrotic changes following unilateral pyeloplasties, using three parameters: pelvic anterior-posterior diameter (APD), pelvis/córtex ratio (P/C R) and the percentage of improvement in APD (PI-APD).

Results: 41 patientswereincluded. Age at intervention ranged from 2 months to 10.3 years (mean 13 months, 83% were operated in the first year of life). Median of follow up was 4 years (range 1-12 years). Mean APD preoperatively was 25 mm (range 16-54). At the third month PO, PI-APD was 28%. At the sixth month control, it was 51%, and remained stable during the next consecutive yearly controls, without statistically significant variations (50%, 57%, 60%, 51%, 39%, 46%, 38%, 42%). P/C R diminished significantly already in the third month control (4.6 vs. 1.8, p=0.03). We observed complete disappearance of hidronephrosis in 8 patients (19.5%).

Discussion: Although early postoperative ultrasound changes occur, the ultrasound parameters remain often stable during long term follow up. We documented the complete normalization of renal pelvis (no hydronephrosis) in one of every five patients.