[Reflections on a series of 39 cases of primary vesico-renal reflux in adults]

Abstract

The authors report thirty nine cases of primary vesicorenal reflux in adults, involving sixty nine ureters. The series includes two women for every three men, with an onset normally in the twenties (the average age was 28 years and 6 months). In 86.6% of the patients, the disorder was revealed by urinary infections, and the case history extended back over an average of eight years. The urinary infection had a severe impact on the renal parenchyma, so that 54% of the patients presented with bilateral parenchymal lesions. Isotopic cystography appears to provide a more sensitive diagnostic tool than conventional radiological cystography, and the radiation effects are far less pronounced, so that the examination can be repeated more frequently in search of intermittent refluxes in patients with pyelonephritic lesions. The surgical management is by uretero-vesical reimplantation. The authors presently prefer Cohen's technique, which gives 88% good results. On the other hand, after surgical élimination of the urinary infection, the pyelonephritic lesions or renal insufficiency are irreversible, but they remain stable.