[Hydronephrosis in infancy and childhood].

Hydronephrosis in infancy and childhood is almost always congenital. In 80% of the cases is due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction, in 20% is due to anomalous renal vessels sometimes associated to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The authors analyze their experience in the surgical treatment of this urinary malformation during a ten years period (1971-1981). 119 hydronephrosis out of 105 patients were operated on. The surgical procedures were successful in 93% of the 119 operated hydronephrosis and in 80% of the giant hydronephrosis. Primary nephrectomy was carried out in only 5% of the operated hydronephrosis (6/119). The Authors stress the importance of early diagnosis to improve surgical results.