Therapy cures VUR in more than 90% of children

Treatment with hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel (Deflux) showed a cure rate of more than 90% in children with vesicoureteral reflux, with 82.2% showing resolution after just one treatment, according to a study published last month in Pediatrics (2006; 118:698-703).

“The efficacy seen with Deflux in such a high proportion of patients shows that Deflux is a valuable treatment for children with vesicoureteral reflux and should be considered as a first-line treatment option,” said study co-author David Roth, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. “Treatment with Deflux avoids the need for long-term antibiotics, and because it requires no incision and is typically administered as an outpatient procedure, it spares these young patients the trauma and potential complications of major surgery and hospitalization-currently the only other option with a high cure rate.”

In the study, 107 pediatric patients age 15 years or younger with uncomplicated primary grade I through V VUR received endoscopic treatment with Deflux. To monitor treatment efficacy, patients received a follow-up voiding cystourethrogram 2 or more weeks after treatment.

VUR was resolved in 82.2% of patients, and only 14 patients needed a second treatment. When outcomes were examined by ureter instead of by patient, 86.9% were successfully treated after the first implantation, increasing to 92.6% after the second implantation. There were no complications in this study, according to the researchers.