Outcome assessment for pyeloplasty in pediatric age group on the basis of ultrasonography

At present, duration and methods of radiographic follow-up after pediatric pyeloplasty are not well defined. We prospectively studied pediatric age group patients to assess outcome for cases of pyeloplasty on the basis of ultrasonography and DTPA scan. : We assessed all cases of PUJ obstruction in age group 0-18 years, who got admitted in LLR hospital, Kanpur and underwent pyeloplasty. Patients were excluded if cause of pyeloplasty was acquired. Preoperatively patients underwent clinical evaluation with history and examination followed by radiological investigations including Renal USG & DTPA scan. All patients were followed up postoperatively at 3, 6, 9 & 12 months. In USG, renal parenchyma thickness, antero-posterior diameter of renal pelvis was assessed. In DTPA scan, differential renal function was assessed. Data of USG and DTPA scan were statistically compared. 32 patients who underwent pyeloplasty at a median age of 4.2 years were studied. Follow-up was done for 1 year. On the basis of our study, DTPA scan is better than renal USG to assess functional outcome after pyeloplasty in pediatric age group up to 6 months during follow-up. But results are comparable for follow-up during 9 & 12 months postoperatively. The results of our study show that in the first 6 months, renal USG is not as much informative as DTPA scan to assess functional outcome after pyeloplasty but after 6 months, renal USG is equally effective as DTPA scan. Our study concludes that for poor resource countries, renal USG can be used to assess functional outcome after pyeloplasty in pediatric age group for post-operative follow-up, instead of costly & scarcely available investigation like Renal DTPA scan.