Laparoscopic nipple invagination combined extravesical (NICE) reimplantation technique in the management of primary obstructed megaureter.

Aims: Villanueva challenged Paquin's 5:1 tunnel length and showed in a computer simulation model that UVJ competence was more sensitive to a 2-mm protrusion of ureteric orifice into the bladder compared to an increase in the intravesical tunnel. Thompson later successfully applied the Shanfield technique of invaginating the spatulated primary obstructed megaureter (POM) laparoscopically, causing a nipple antireflux mechanism. In this study we have reported the outcomes of our modification: Nipple Invagination Combined Extravesical (NICE) reimplantation, in the management of POM.

Methods: Patients with POM who underwent NICE reimplantation (summary figure) were followed up and outcomes were analysed. There were three modifications in this compared to Shanfield technique: 1. Detrusor myotomy was performed before opening the bladder mucosa. The detrusor edges were closed later over the invaginated ureter as an extravesical reimplantation. 2. The ureter was held invaginated inside the bladder mucosal opening by two sutures at 6 & 12 O' clock positions instead of a single suture, 3. The dilated ureter was not spatulated inferiorly, as it automatically opens out later inside the bladder to form a nipple.

Results: Eleven patients underwent laparoscopic NICE reimplantation; median age: 6 months (5-24); demographics (R: L = 5:6; M:F = 7:4). The mean duration of surgery was 133 min (110-180) and the mean length of hospital stay was 3.6 days (3-5). There were no immediate post-operative complications in the form of leak in any patient. The median follow-up duration was 20 months (18-29). DRF improved in 7 patients while in 4 it remained static; no patient had deterioration. On follow-up VCUG, none had vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR). The nipple effect could be noticed later at follow-up ultrasonograms and at cystoscopy during stent removal.

Discussion: Paquin emphasised on 5:1 ureteral re-implant tunnel length while Lyon felt that the shape of the ureteral orifice was more important. Shanfield introduced a technique of creating a nipple valve effect by invaginating the ureter intravesically. However it was held by a single suture and had no detrusor backing. NICE reimpantation incorporates a short extra vesical reimplant to the Shanfield technique and literally eliminates post-operative VUR. It is simple and could easily be performed laparoscopically even in small infant bladders. The ureteric orifice kept in line enables future upper-tract access. Our preliminary data suggests that the NICE reimplantation for POM is very successful. Limitations are small numbers and short follow-up. Further larger studies are warranted to authenticate this novel technique.

Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Nil.

(Copyright © 2023 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)