Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Burkina Faso: Epidemiological, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Aspects at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction (UPJO) is a common obstructive congenital uropathy. This study aimed to describe its epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects in a West African context. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 45 medical records of patients who underwent surgery for UPJO between January 2022 and December 2024 in the urology-andrology department of the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital (CHU-YO). The studied variables included sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and paraclinical data, treatment modalities, and outcomes. A favorable postoperative outcome was defined as the complete resolution of symptoms combined with significant regression or normalization of pyelocaliceal dilation on follow-up renal ultrasound. Results: The prevalence of UPJO among surgical procedures was 3.47% (45/1296), with an annual incidence of 15 cases. The mean age was 37.6 ± 16.2 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.2. The majority of patients resided in rural areas (53.3%). Lumbar or abdominal pain was the main reason for consultation (86.6%). The obstruction was left-sided and unilateral in 71.1% of cases. Abdominopelvic Computed Tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. Conservative treatment was predominant (91.1%), primarily via Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty. After a median follow-up of 12 months, 91.1% of patients had a favorable outcome. Conclusion: UPJO is a significant urological condition at CHU-YO, primarily affecting young adult males. Diagnosis is often delayed, made at the symptomatic stage. Open pyeloplasty remains the therapeutic cornerstone in our setting with excellent results, highlighting the need to strengthen antenatal diagnosis and access to minimally invasive techniques.