Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux: Current status

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) affects around 1% of all children. It carries an increased risk of febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is associated with impaired renal function. Endoscopic treatment with NASHA/Dx gel (dextranomer microspheres in a stabilized hyaluronic acid-based gel of nonanimal origin) is minimally invasive, well tolerated and provides cure rates approaching those of open surgery: ∼90% in several studies. It has also been shown to be effective in a variety of ‘complicated’ cases. Endoscopic treatment is therefore considered preferable to open surgery and long-term antibiotic prophylaxis. Nontreatment of VUR is being discussed as an alternative option, whereby children are treated with antibiotics only when UTIs occur. Considering all the available evidence, however, active intervention with endoscopic treatment remains preferable. A new approach to managing VUR may nevertheless be considered, with treatment decisions based not only on the grade of reflux, but also factors such as age, sex, renal scarring, and bladder dysfunction. Open surgery would be reserved for use only in the (∼)10% of children not responding to endoscopic treatment, and patients with refluxing primary megaureter.