Urethral Valves 1

Summary Our experience with 206 cases of posterior urethral valves in boys has been reviewed with statistical analysis of 172 cases followed up for at least 2 years. A new method of valve ablation has been described. The mortality in the disease has been confined almost to infants presenting in the first year of life with uraemia, and the results have improved enormously with better integration of medical and surgical corrective measures. Later mortality is a comparatively uncommon event, but considerable morbidity occurs with recurrent infection, persistent dilatation of the ureter being the most important cause of this complication. Temporary diversion and re‐implantation as alternative methods of treatment are discussed, but we have been impressed by the value of the conservative approach in many cases.