Treatment of infants with ureteropelvic junction obstruction: findings from the PURSUIT network

Purpose Studies based on administrative databases show that infant pyeloplasty is associated with minority race/ethnicity but lack clinical data that may influence treatment. Our objective was to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with pyeloplasty in infants from three large tertiary centers. Methods We reviewed infants with unilateral Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) grade 3-4 hydronephrosis seen at three tertiary centers from 2/1/2018 to 9/30/2019. Patients were excluded if > 6 months old or treated surgically prior to the initial visit. Outcomes were: pyeloplasty < age 1 year and SFU grade on most recent ultrasound (US) within the first year. Covariables included: age at the initial visit, race/ethnicity, treating site, insurance type, febrile UTI, and initial imaging findings. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models, respectively. Results 197 patients met study criteria; 19.3% underwent pyeloplasty. Pyeloplasty was associated with: treating site (p = 0.03), SFU 4 on initial US (p = 0.001), MAG-3 (p < 0.001), and T1/2 > 20 min (p < 0.001) in patients undergoing a MAG-3 (n = 107). MAG-3 (p < 0.001) and location (p = 0.08) were associated with earlier time to pyeloplasty on multivariable Cox analysis. In infants with follow-up US (n = 115), initial SFU grade, MAG-3 evaluation or findings, and pyeloplasty were not associated with improvement of hydronephrosis. Conclusions We found that infant pyeloplasty rates vary between sites. Prolonged T1/2 was associated with surgery despite prior studies suggesting this is a poor predictor of worsening dilation or function. These findings suggest the need to standardize evaluation and indications for intervention in infants with suspected UPJ obstruction.

Automated summary

The study revealed variations in infant pyeloplasty rates among different healthcare sites. Prolonged T1/2 was associated with surgery, despite prior studies indicating its poor predictive value for worsening dilation or function. These findings suggest the necessity to standardize evaluation and intervention indications in infants with suspected UPJ obstruction.