In hydronephrosis less than 10% kidney function is not an indication for nephrectomy in children

Purpose: To reduce the incidence of nephrectomy or hydronephrosis in children. Materials and Methods: From September 1998 to October 2000, we treated 58 patients with hydronephrosis; their ages ranged from 35 days to 11 years (mean age 4years 7 months). All patients were subjected to a DTPA renogram with split function. In 12 patients (study group), kidney function was less than 10% (range 0- 10%). Initially, nephrostomy was carried out in all 12 patients followed by Anderson-Hyne's pyeloplasty after 4-6 weeks. Postoperatively renal USG, urine r/m/e & c/s (routine and microscopic examination and culture and sensitivity test), blood urea, serum creatinine were assessed and DMSA scan and DTPA renogram with split functions were carried out in all patients. Results: In the study group, all 12 patients showed improvement of renal function (more than 10%) after nephrostomy and in all of them pyeloplasty was subsequently carried out within 4-6 weeks. There were no significant pre-, peri- or postoperative complications. Conclusions: Contrary to common practice we do not recommend nephrectomy for hydronephrotic kidneys which show < 10% of renal function on renogram. The renal functional status improves significantly after a preliminary nephrostomy, thus avoiding the need for a straightforward nephrectomy in children along with all the possible long-term effects of a single kidney.