Foley's Catheter Balloon Avulsion of Posterior Urethral Valve in Children: How Effective?

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic ablation under direct vision is the gold standard for treatment of posterior urethral valve. However, when the facilities are not available, Foley’s catheter balloon avulsion of the valve suffices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial outcome of management of children with posterior urethral valve treated by Foley’s catheter balloon avulsion. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of children, aged 15 years and younger, who were treated for posterior urethral valves at the pediatric surgery unit of a teaching hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. The parameters evaluated included the age of the patient at presentation, duration of symptoms before presentation, time interval between presentation and intervention, presenting symptoms, procedure performed, post-intervention complications, duration of hospital stay and outcome of treatment. Results: A total of 24 children underwent catheter balloon avulsion during the study period. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 18 months and the mean duration of hospital stay was 18 days. Poor urinary stream and overflow incontinence were the most common presentations of the patients. Twenty-three out of 24 (96%) patients achieved full recovery with marked improvements in urinary stream and resolution of urinary symptoms. Patients who had hydronephrosis and vesicoureteric reflux before treatment, had resolutions of their pathologies during the period of follow up. However, one tenth of the patients each, experienced urethral injury and temporary urinary incontinence. Conclusion: In resource poor settings where the necessary facilities are not available, Foley catheter balloon avulsion of posterior urethral valve is a simple and effective modality of treatment.