Retrograde balloon dilation of ureteropelvic obstructions in infants and children: early results

Abstract

Objectives: Although balloon dilation is a successful and widely accepted minimally invasive method of treating vascular, esophageal, and colonic strictures, it has not been reported in the management of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction in infants. We investigated the role of retrograde balloon dilation as the primary treatment of UPJ obstruction in infants, and we report the technique and early results.

Methods: Prospective study of infants and young children undergoing retrograde balloon dilation of primary UPJ obstruction using a 3.8 F, 8 atmosphere radial balloon dilator.

Results: Ten infants and children with a median age of 16 months (range, 3 months to 9 years 6 months) underwent retrograde balloon dilation for proven UPJ obstruction with successful outcome in 7 patients following one dilation.

Conclusions: The minimally invasive nature of this technique and our encouraging early results lead us to conclude that this technique warrants further clinical evaluation.