CUHK Pioneers Cure for Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common condition affecting one to two per cent of all children in whom there is an abnormal retrograde flow of urine from the bladder back into the kidneys. Refluxing urine can transport bacteria from the bladder towards the kidneys, inflicting pyelonephritis and kidney damage. This can lead to renal scarring, reduced kidney function, and hypertension. VUR is one of the commonest causes for urinary tract infections (UTI) and end-stage renal failure in children.

The Division of Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology of the Faculty of Medicine has pioneered a completely new management algorithm with minimally invasive treatment of VUR that provides complete cure for all grades of reflux and yet involves only endoscopic treatment. Since 2000, the division has successfully applied this pneumovesical technique for severe grade reflux on close to a hundred patients with a 99 per cent cure rate. This technique allows anti-reflux surgery to be performed without opening up the bladder and does not necessitate any in-dwelling ureteric catheter. Patients are up and about within a few hours after surgery and can be discharged in 24 hours with minimal pain and discomfort.

The new treatment algorithm provides definitive surgical treatment that aims at an early cure and higher success rate. There is far less trauma to the child and the high cure rate alleviates the need for long-term follow-up with radiological investigations and antibiotic treatment.