Open surgery (open repair) is an option for severe cases of VUR
Surgery can be used for high-grade unilateral or bilateral VUR
The open surgical repair of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is most commonly used in grades IV and V VUR.1 Endoscopic injection has assumed the role of first-line VUR treatment whereas reimplantation remains reserved for cases of failed injection therapy or significant anatomical abnormalities.2
What do children experience with open surgery?
- Prolonged hospital stay3
- Post-operative pain or discomfort3
- Possible complications such as bleeding, blockages of the ureters, bladder issues1
Deflux has comparable protection to open repair
- A single head-to-head study reviewing charts of children treated with either Deflux or surgery to compare the incidence of febrile and febrile UTI occurrence postoperatively showed:4
- Deflux postoperative rate of UTI recurrence: 5% (N=40)
- Open repair postoperative rate of UTI recurrence: 24% (N=29)
Considerations of Deflux versus open surgery
- Comparable success rates with significant advantages: outpatient surgery, lower morbidity, fewer complications and reduced cost5
- Deflux is the preferred and most often used treatment among providers in academic settings for long-term cure of reflux.6
- VUR correction with Deflux is generally a 15-minute outpatient procedure requiring short-acting general anesthesia versus a lengthier inpatient procedure requiring general anesthesia2
- The procedure is considered minimally invasive with minimal post-operative pain and no need for urinary catheter7
- Children can usually return to school or normal activities the day after the procedure versus a surgical reimplant that generally requires hospitalization for post-operative pain and temporary urinary catheter drainage.7