Pyeloplasty

A Minimally Invasive Option for Pyeloplasty

Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure performed to remove a blockage in the ureter, which is the muscular tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder. Each of the two kidneys is connected to a separate ureter. Some people are born with the blockages in the ureter, but the problem isn’t noticeable until later in life. Others blockages develop from kidney stones or scar tissue.

During pyeloplasty, an incision is made in the side of the abdomen, and the surgeon reconstructs the renal pelvis to remove the blockage. The healthy sections are then reattached to the renal pelvic tissue. In some surgeries, tubes are placed in the ureter to drain urine. If a tube is used, it can be easily removed at a doctor’s office following surgery.

If your doctor recommends surgery, you might be a candidate for a robot-assisted pyeloplasty. Performed through a few small incisions, this procedure offers a minimally invasive approach to upper urinary tract reconstruction. For the patient undergoing surgery, the use of robotics may result in fewer scars, less blood loss and a faster recovery.