Pyeloplasty

Pyeloplasty Treatment in Alwarpet, Chennai

Urology is the branch of medicine that involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the organs of the urinary tract - kidneys, bladder, ureters, urethra, penis, testes, scrotum, prostate. The medical and surgical disorders of the male/female urinary tract and reproductive organs make up the urological diseases.

The kidneys remove the excess wastewater from the blood and pass it as urine to the urinary tract. The ureteropelvic junction connects the kidneys to the urinary tract. When the ureteropelvic junction gets obstructed, the urine cannot be drained into the tract. Pyeloplasty is the medical procedure that is performed to reduce and treat this obstruction. 

If you are looking for an experienced Pyroplasty specialist, find some of the best options available in Pyroplasty specialists in Alwarpet, Chennai. 

What is Pyeloplasty?

Pyeloplasty is the surgical reconfiguration of the blocked ureter. The PUJ (ureteropelvic junction) is widened through surgical procedures to ensure that the urine passes into the urinary tract. In some cases, the blocked ureter is physically removed. If a blood vessel is pushing onto the ureter, the ureter is cut, pulled behind the blood vessel, and reconnected.

Pyeloplasty can be open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or with the assistance of robotic arms. Depending on the technique and incision patterns, types of surgical pyeloplasty are classified. The most common type of pyeloplasty is the dismembered type.

What are the types of Pyeloplasty?

1. Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty (dismembered type)
2. Y-V pyeloplasty
3. Inverted U pyeloplasty
4. Culp’s pyeloplasty

Who qualifies for a Pyeloplasty?

Patients suffering from the blockage of ureteropelvic junction (PUJ) require a pyeloplasty surgery. An adult may need a pyeloplasty if their kidney is obstructed, or if they experience urinary retention. Males are twice as likely to require a pyeloplasty than females.

On some occasions, infants and newborns are at risk of a ureteropelvic obstruction. According to the statistics, 1 out of 1500 babies suffers from such an obstruction. Urological surgeons perform pyeloplasty to treat the PUJ obstruction of those babies.

Why is pyeloplasty conducted?

When a patient suffers from a ureteropelvic obstruction, they experience urinary retention, as their ureter is blocked. This causes the kidney to swell, as the renal pelvis is choked and dilated. This leads to hydronephrosis, which is detrimental to the kidneys and might even cause kidney failure.

Pyeloplasty is conducted to prevent hydronephrosis, and resume the passage of urine through the urinary tract. It removes the blocked portion of the ureter, and then repositions and reattaches it to the renal tissue, eliminating the PUJ obstruction. The primary aim of pyeloplasty is to relieve the ureteropelvic obstruction.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience urinary retention or experience sharp pain while urinating, you should consult a doctor. If your urine displays redness, puss, or other abnormalities, you must consult a urologist. Thus, if these symptoms of ureteropelvic obstruction are evident, you should book an appointment with a specialist.

If your infant has bouts of crying, with signs of urinary retention, it is a matter of concern. If the frequency of urination of your child is very low, it is an indicator that they are experiencing PUJ obstruction. If you observe any of these symptoms,

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the benefits of pyeloplasty?

Some of the benefits of the minimally invasive urological surgery of pyeloplasty are:

1. Treatment of urinary retention
2. Preventing hydronephrosis
3. Eliminating ureteropelvic obstruction
4. Protecting kidney from damage
5. Avoid future urinary tract infections

What are the Risks or Complications of Pyeloplasty?

Pyeloplasty is a complex urological procedure that requires experienced surgeons to perform the surgery. Every surgical procedure involves a few risks, and pyeloplasty is no exception. Some of these risks and complications are:

1. Excessive bleeding, swelling, redness,
2. Injury to surrounding organs, renal blood vessels
3. Scarring, hernia, infection, inflammation 
4. Blood clotting
5. Obstruction continues
6. Damage to digestive organs
7. Urine leaking, pain, irritation
8. Risks posed by anesthesia
9. Need for another operation
10. Conversion of laparoscopic surgery to an open surgery
11. Infarction of renal parenchyma 

Conclusion

Thus, pyeloplasty is a necessary surgical procedure for removing the ureteropelvic obstruction and preventing hydronephrosis. Recent advancements in medical technology have enabled doctors to perform pyeloplasty with a laparoscope. A camera attached to a catheter helps to navigate the organs of the kidney and enables the surgeon to locate the ureteropelvic obstruction easily. 

Sometimes, robots have assisted surgeons in performing this procedure. The urologist controls the robotic arm that can perform tasks like making incisions, removing and repositioning the ureter, and other surgical tasks.

References:

Pyeloplasty FAQ | Patient Education | UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals (ucsfbenioffchildrens.org)

What Is a Pyeloplasty? (nationwidechildrens.org)

Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty | Johns Hopkins Medicine