Treatments for Vesicoureteral Reflux
The goal for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux is to prevent any kidney damage from occurring. Infections should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the infection from moving into the kidneys. Antibiotic therapy usually corrects reflux caused by infection.
Surgery, such as reimplantation of the ureters, may be needed to correct primary vesicoureteral reflux. During this surgery, the doctor will reposition the connection between the ureter and the bladder so that urine will not back up into the ureters and kidneys.
In recent years, doctors have treated some cases of vesicoureteral reflux by injecting collagen, or a similar substance, into the bladder wall, just below the opening where the ureter joins the bladder. This injection creates a kind of valve that keeps urine from flowing back into the ureter. The injection is delivered to the inside of the bladder through a catheter passed through the urethra, so there is no need for a surgical incision.
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