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Purpose. – The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in ureteropelvic junction management, from surgical correction to observation of the hydronephrosis. We checked wether or not it was deleterious for kidney.Materials and methods. – We retrospectively reviewed 96 charts between 1988 and 1998. Initial ultrasonography, and voiding cystourethrogram were available for all cases. Intravenous urography and diuretic renography were studied when available. Minimal follow-up of patients was one year. Patients were divided into three groups: surgery right away, surgery after observation, and observation only.Results. – Later was the diagnosis, more significant were the hydronephrosis and impairment of renal function (p < 0.01). In group operated on right away (69 cases), drainage improved, hydronephrosis decreased, but renal function did not improve significantly (p = 0.37). Sixteen patients were operated on after observation without deleterious effect for kidney. Eleven patients were only observed: hydronephrosis progressively decreased. Initial radiological results were not different between the last two groups (p > 0.05), and were not predictive of their course.Conclusion. – Initial non operative management of hydronephrosis was not dangerous for renal function. It is advisable to detect at the earliest all signs of obstruction, because surgery improves renal drainage but not renal function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]