Clinical course of vesicoureteral reflux in patients with hypospadias

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in hypospadic patients is reportedly higher than in healthy children. We investigated the prevalence and the clinical course of VUR in hypospadic patients. METHODS: We carried out intraoperative cystography to detect VUR in 338 patients who underwent hypospadias repair. Age, severity of hypospadias and the presence of VUR were investigated. A dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan and follow-up voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) were carried out if VUR was detected. RESULTS: VUR was detected in 41 patients (12.1%). Of 156 patients who were younger than 1 year-of-age, 34 (21.8%) were found to have VUR. The prevalence of VUR was significantly higher in patients younger than 1year (P<0.001), but was not associated with hypospadias type (P=0.212). The reflux grades were I, II and III in 6, 52 and 1 renal units, respectively. Renal scarring was shown in one of 36 patients. Follow-up VCUG was carried out in 30 patients at a mean of 14.28±3.89months, and reflux resolved in 27 and improved from grade II to grade I in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although its prevalence is higher in hypospadic children than in healthy children, it is not necessary to screen for VUR in hypospadic patients, because it is likely to be low-grade and to resolve in most cases.