Repair of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a blockage in the urinary tract where the ureter attaches to the kidney. These blockages are generally congenital, but can also develop from a crossing blood vessel, and cause a poor drainage of urine from the kidney. Patients often experience abdominal pain, stones, infection, high blood pressure and deterioration of kidney function.
Pyeloplasty is considered the gold standard treatment in UPJO, with excision of the area of obstruction and reconstruction of the connection between the renal pelvis and ureter. Urologic surgones at UCSD perform pyeloplasty laparoscopically, providing reduced discomfort for the patient as well as a shorter hospital stay. Studies have shows that results of laparoscopic pyeloplasty equal those of open surgery.
A laparoscopic pyeloplasty takes about 3-4 hours, during which time the patient is under general anesthesia. Through three small incisions in the abdomen, the surgeon can repair the blockage and may place a small plastic tube (ureteral stent) inside the ureter to help drain the kidney. If a tube is used, it can be easily removed in your doctor's office after the surgery.