Pyeloplasty

Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the correction of narrowed or blocked ureters (tubes that carry urine from kidneys to the bladder) as they exist the kidneys. The obstruction may be present at birth or appear later in life. These blocked ureters can cause the backflow of urine into the kidneys and damage them, if left untreated.

Pyeloplasty is performed under general anaesthesia and the surgery lasts for approximately 2 to 3 hours. A small incision is made on the side over your child's kidney. The blocked part of the kidney/ureter is located and removed by cutting out the affected section. The cut ends are joined with stitches. The incision is sutured firmly with dissolvable stitches. A stent (a small tube) may be left in place between the kidney and the incision site to help drain urine. Following pyeloplasty, your child will remain in the hospital for 2 to 5 days. As with all surgeries, pyeloplasty may be associated with certain complications such as infection, bleeding and leakage of urine collecting outside the kidney.