Incidence of later ureteral obstruction after antireflux surgery in infants and children

Forty infants and children who underwent antireflux surgery for primary reflux had long-term follow-up with intravenous pyelograms (IVP). The IVPs were evaluated for the incidence of late ureteral obstruction. Although 4 cases (5.5 per cent) of early ureteral obstruction were noted, no instances of late ureteral obstruction were found. After antireflux surgery, patients should have a follow-up IVP within the first six months to rule out the possibility of early ureteral obstruction. The need for performing periodic IVPs for many years postoperatively, when obstruction is absent in the immediate postoperative period, is questioned.