Pyeloplasty

Pyeloplasty Treatment & Diagnostics in Tardeo, Mumbai

Pyeloplasty

One out of every 1500 children is born with a blockage in their ureters, the tubes that transport urine from the kidney to the bladder. Adults too are susceptible to this problem - in fact, men are twice as prone to it as women. The blockage is commonly present at the junction between the ureter and the bladder and is called ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.

A UPJ obstruction may cause a partial or complete blockage leading to poor or no flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder. This can further lead to the dilation of your kidneys, causing severe health issues. In some cases, a nearby organ or blood vessel may be pressing on the ureter. This could also lead to narrowing of the ureter and poor passage of urine through it. 

Pyeloplasty can help restore the proper functioning of the kidneys and the regular flow of urine. 

What Is Pyeloplasty?

Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure that your surgeon or urologist will perform to restore or repair a part of your kidney or renal pelvis. It is commonly done to clear a ureteropelvic junction obstruction and has the highest success rates among other procedures to treat a UPJ obstruction. 

Pyelo refers to the renal pelvis or kidney and plasty is a term used for any surgery that involves repair, replacement or restoration of something.

The kidneys start dilating because of the added pressure from the accumulation of excess urine because of the blockage. Pyeloplasty thus involves the reconstruction of the renal pelvis to decompress the kidney and relieve it of additional stress. 

You can avail of this procedure at any of the urology hospitals in Mumbai. Or you can search online for a urology doctor near me.

How Is Pyeloplasty done?

Pyeloplasty can be done in any one of three ways:

Open/Traditional Surgery

In this method, a surgeon will make a small cut around the location of your kidneys. The cut may be around 2 centimeters in width. The surgeon then removes the blocked part of the ureter. A regular caliber ureter is attached along with a stent to drain out the urine from the kidneys. The stent is removed once the ureter heals after the surgery. 

Traditional surgery is commonly done for young babies born with obstructions in their ureters. 

Laparoscopic Surgery

In this method, the surgeon will make a few small incisions, each 8-10 millimeters wide, around the kidney region on your abdomen. One incision is to insert the camera and the others to insert the tools for the surgery. Similar to an open surgery, the surgeon cuts off the blocked part of the ureter and reattaches the normal caliber ureter to the bladder. 

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is similar to laparoscopic surgery. In this method too, small incisions are made on the abdomen. The surgeon then uses robotic arms connected to a computer to conduct the surgery. The robotic arms are controlled using the computer and can move smaller tools inside the belly and underneath the skin. 

Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are commonly used for adults. 

Why do you need pyeloplasty?

Pyeloplasty helps in removing any blockage in the ureter and restoring the proper flow of urine from the kidneys to the bladder. You may need pyeloplasty when you have:

An adynamic ureter or UPJ obstruction

Many infants are born with a blockage, while in adults the blockage could be due to external factors like nearby organs or blood vessels pressing against the ureters. 

Development of polyps or tumors

In rare cases, the blockage could be due to scarred tissues, polyps or even tumors. 

When do you need to see a doctor?

Consult a doctor when:

• You experience pain stemming from the side and back of your abdomen and progressing towards your groin. 
• You feel pain during urination and urinate frequently. 
• You feel nauseated.
• You develop a fever.

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Tardeo, Mumbai. 

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How is a UPJ blockage diagnosed?

After you notice the symptoms mentioned above, the following tests can help confirm the presence and location of the blockage.  

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Ultrasound
• X-ray of the urinary tract.

What are the risks?

These may include:

1. Excessive blood loss during surgery and need for blood transfusion. 
2. Chances of infection in the operated region. 
3. Hernia in the operated region. 
4. Injury to surrounding tissues or organs due to surgery. 
5. Need for sudden open surgery due to difficulties encountered during laparoscopic surgery. 
6. Failure to treat the UPJ blockage. 

Conclusion

It’s a more or less safe procedure with a host of benefits. Follow your doctor’s advice strictly after the procedure.