Hydrodilation of the ureteral orifice in children renders ureteroscopic access possible without any further active dilation.

Abstract

We review our experience with hydrodilation of the ureteral orifice for ureteroscopic access in children. We retrospectively reviewed the results of 30 ureteroscopic procedures performed in 26 children who were followed for 6 months. Ureteral access was obtained with the assistance of a hand irrigation pump without any further active dilation in all cases. A total of 26 patients (86.7%) were completely stone-free after 1 procedure. There was no major complication such as ureteral perforation or avulsion. Mild flank pain was observed in 8 cases (26.7%). Predominant symptoms of bladder spasm were observed in 6 cases (20%). At 6-month followup no patient had pyelonephritis or demonstrated hydronephrosis related to ureteral stricture. Our study shows that hydrodilation of the ureteral orifice in children renders ureteroscopic access possible with no additional active dilation and no associated complications.