Surgery for posterior urethral valves

Abstract

Posterior urethral valves are an uncommon but important cause of prenatally detected hydronephrosis. It often affects both kidneys and may be associated with renal dysplasia and insufficiency. Immediate postnatal evaluation and intervention should be undertaken. A renal ultrasound and voiding cystourethrogram are obtained on the first day of life, and a catheter is placed until intervention is undertaken, usually in the first week of life. Occasionally, boys with posterior urethral valves will present later in life with a urinary tract infection or voiding dysfunction. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.