Current State of Fetal Intervention for Obstructive Uropathy –Focus on Bladder

AbstractPurpose of the ReviewThe authors present an overview of the mostly formative and latest literature on the current fetal management of lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and postnatal renal outcome with a special focus on the bladder.Recent FindingsSince the PLUTO trial [1] in 2013, only a few retrospective studies have been published which compared fetal cystoscopy with the placement of a vesicoamniotic shunt (VAS) and showed that both interventions are superior to conservative management because they improve the 6  months survival rates in severe LUTO. In contrast, only fetal cystoscopy provides a trend of better renal outcome compared with VAS [2••,3,4]. The current studies focus mainly on postnatal renal function; data on bladder function are still missing.SummaryThe data available today are insufficient on giving adequate answer about bladder outcome following fetal intervention and whether vesicoamniotic shunt (VAS) or fetal cystoscopy is adequate to decompress and protect the bladder. In addition to renal outcome studies, there is need for long-term bladder studies.
Source: Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research