Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. (2026).4(156): 78-90. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.4(156).7890
Savitska A. A., Konoplitskyi V. S., Korobko Yu. Ye.
National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine

For citation: Savitska AA, Konoplitskyi VS, Korobko YuYe. (2026). Assessment of the effectiveness of the STING procedure in children with vesicoureteral reflux in the perioperative period. Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. 4(156): 78-90. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.4(156).7890.
Article received: Feb 17, 2026. Accepted for publication: May 12, 2026.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is one of the leading causes of reflux nephropathy, renal parenchymal scarring, and impaired renal function in children. Endoscopic correction of VUR, particularly using the STING technique, requires evaluation of its efficacy.
Aim – to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux using the STING technique and its impact on renal function in children.
Materials and methods. The study included 54 patients aged from 30 days to 18 yearswith grade I-IV VUR who underwent endoscopic correction using the STING technique in 2020-2025 (80 refluxing ureters). The Control group comprised 64 children. Ultrasonographic and radiological parameters, VUR grade, and the shape and location of the ureteral orifice were assessed. Renal function was evaluated using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated according to the Schwartz-Lyon formula. Parameters were analyzed before treatment and ≥6 months after correction.
Results. Before treatment, eGFR was lower than in the Control group (75.47±5.5 vs. 95.5±3.28 mL/min/1.73 m²). At ≥6 months after STING, eGFR increased to 84.58±2.5 mL/min/1.73 m². The increase in eGFR was more pronounced in unilateral VUR than in bilateral disease. Complete resolution of reflux was achieved in 87.04% of children. In 7.4% of cases, a reduction in VUR grade was observed without complete resolution. At 6 months, eGFR values remained below those of the Control group.
Conclusions. Endoscopic correction of VUR using the STING technique is a highly effective minimally invasive treatment in children, achieving complete resolution of reflux in more than 85% of cases. The procedure improves renal function; however, complete recovery requires time and dynamic follow-up.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of the institution mentioned in the work.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: vesicoureteral reflux, children, endoscopy, minimally invasive treatment, spine, sacrococcygeal region, glomerular filtration rate, congenital malformations.

REFERENCES

1. Borysova TP, Samsonenko SV. (2022). Stan shvydkosti klubochkovoi filtratsii u ditei z yuvenilnym idiopatichnym artrytom. Zdorov'e Rebenka. 17(1): 1-6. [Борисова ТП, Самсоненко СВ. (2022). Стан швидкості клубочкової фільтрації у дітей з ювенільним ідіопатичним артритом. Здоров’я дитини. 17(1): 1-6]. https://doi.org/10.22141/2224-0551.17.1.2022.1484

2. Chen Z, Zheng L, Zhang M, Zhang J, Kong R, Chen Y et al. (2021). Sacral curvature in addition to sacral ratio to assess sacral development and the association with the type of anorectal malformations. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 9: 732524. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.732524; PMid:34660489

3. Edinga-Melenge BE, Tchapmi Yakam AT, Nansseu JR et al. (2019). Reference intervals for serum cystatin C and serum creatinine in an adult sub-Saharan African population. BMC Clinical Pathology. 19: 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12907-019-0086-7; PMid:30923459 PMCid:PMC6423796

4. Park JM. (2006). Vesicoureteral reflux: Anatomic and functional basis of etiology. In S.G. Docimo, D.A. Canning, A.E. Khoury (Eds.). The Kelalis-King-Belman textbook of clinical pediatric urology. 5th ed. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b13795-47

5. Raxmatullaev AA, Ergashev MT, Abdiyev BR, Hoshimov TR, Raxmatullaev IS. (2024). The transurethral treatment of primary high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in children. Innovative Surgery on the Silk Road. 2(2): 58-63.