Outcome of posterior urethral valves in Public Sector Hospital: Challenges in management

Aim: to determine the pattern of presentation and outcome of management of posterior urethral valve in a resource-limited setting. methods: a descriptive retrospective study from october 2012 to october 2014 was conducted at department of pediatric urology,the children's hospital & ich multan. data including pattern of presentation,duration of symptoms,complications and outcome of management were analyzed. results: two hundred thirty patients were seen. the median age was 3 years (2 days-10 years). the mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 2.4 years. two hundred and 10(91%) patients presented with urosepsis,eighty patients (35%) with unilateral or bilateral reflux,35(15%) presented with large decompensated bladder,while 40 patients (17%) presented with significant renal insufficiency. radiological findings confirmed the diagnosis of posterior urethral valve. cystoscopy and fulguration of valves was done in all patients and vesicostomy or ureterostomy was later done in selected cases. conclusion: study results concluded that late presentation is common in our setting. this is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. efforts at improving awareness and early diagnosis among the health team should be made to stem the tide.