Long-term efficacy of subureteral collagen injection for endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in neurogenic bladder cases

Purpose: We evaluated the long-term efficacy of subureteral glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen injection (GAX 35*) for endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction due to meningomyelocele. Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied 12 women and 8 men (26 ureteral renal units) with a median age of 8 years (range 1 to 51) who had neurogenic bladder due to meningomyelocele. Reflux into single collecting systems was treated with subureteral collagen injection (GAX 35). Followup with video urodynamics included voiding cystography. Results: All patients performed intermittent catheterization to control the bladder. During the study all bladders were areflexic with normal compliance. Preoperative reflux according to the International Reflux Study Classification was grade I in 1, II in 9, III in 10, IV in 4 and V in 2 ureteral renal units. All patients were treated with subureteral collagen injection (mean volume 1.9 ml., range 0.7 to 3.5). Reflux resolved initially in all but 2 cases. Mean followup was 16 months (range 1 to 71). Reflux was still absent in only 15% of treated units after 24 months. Conclusions: Our data suggest that endoscopic subureteral collagen injection in neurogenic bladder cases is not effective with long-term followup, New biocompatible and biodegradable materials should be tested to control vesicoureteral reflux.