The effect of use of alpha-blockers in posterior urethral valve pediatric patients postvalve ablation in the absence of further outlet obstruction

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to detect whether the use of alpha-blockers in posterior urethral valve (PUV) pediatric patients after valve ablation will improve the persistent obstructive symptoms despite the absence of obstruction and if there are associated side effects of its use. Patients and Methods: A prospective, single-blinded randomized study was conducted at the urology department of two hospitals on 50 male children between September 2019 and June 2021 with PUV. All children were treated by endoscopic ablation of PUV using the cold knife and were followed clinically for voiding symptoms and with ultrasonography and laboratory tests. All patients underwent second-look cystoscopy 1 month after primary valve ablation to see residual valves as a routine procedure confirming no remnant of the valve and still complaining of obstructive symptoms. They were divided into two equal groups 25 patients each. Group A was given alpha-blockers and Group B placebo for 1 month. Results: Marked improvement of obstructive symptoms in Group A reaching about 90% (21 patients), whereas no mentioned improvement in Group B was noticed with no side effects of both medication the alpha-blocker and the placebo during its use. Conclusion: The use of alpha-blockers improves the obstructive symptoms in pediatric patients with PUV after valve ablation and in the absence of any further urethral obstruction with no side effects noticed during the period of its use.

Keywords

• alpha-blocker
• obstructive symptoms
• posterior urethral valve
• residual urine
• ultrasound