Pyeloplasty Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, Benefits, and Side Effects

Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology | Jan 22, 2025

You might be wondering: What is pyeloplasty surgery? Since you are here, allow us to shed light on this procedure, its benefits, side effects, and complications.

Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting a condition called ureteropelvic junction obstruction. This specific condition occurs when the connection between the ureter and the renal pelvis gets blocked. This blockage can cause a lot of pain, recurrent infections, and even severe damage to the kidney.

With pyeloplasty surgery, you can expect to resolve the issue and lead a healthier and happier life. So, what really happens during the procedure? As you dive deep into this article, you will find out everything about the condition.

Understanding the Pyeloplasty Procedure

The pyeloplasty procedure is typically performed under general anaesthesia. Before you opt for the procedure, your doctor will share these details with you.

So, the most common method has to be laparoscopic pyeloplasty, which requires small incisions and the use of a camera to guide the surgery. This is a minimally invasive approach. It allows the surgeon to repair the blockage with fine precision. The affected region of the ureter is then removed, and the ureter is reattached to the renal pelvis so that it allows urine to flow freely.

The pyeloplasty procedure success rate also depends on the surgeon and the medical institution you choose for the same.

The Plausible Benefits of Pyeloplasty

Before getting the pyeloplasty surgery, you need to know if it is suitable for you. The primary advantage of pyeloplasty is the relief of symptoms associated with the obstruction, such as pain and frequent infections. Nobody wants to live with an obstruction, excruciating pain, and an uneasy feeling. The pyeloplasty surgery also aims to preserve kidney function by removing obstructions that can cause pressure buildup and possible damage to kidney tissues. Patients experience major improvements in their quality of life after they undergo surgery.

The Side Effects and Risks of Pyeloplasty

Every procedure can have certain risks. You should know about them before you make a decision. As with any surgery, pyeloplasty also comes with potential risks and side effects. The side effects may include:

• Infection: Despite using sterile techniques, infections can happen. Speak to the surgeon about the management of side effects.
• Bleeding: There is also a risk of bleeding during or after surgery, but it will be minor.
• Scarring: Internal scarring might lead to further obstruction. The scarring will be minimal as compared to the ones you get after a traditional surgery. But you need to watch out for internal scarring, which leads to further complications. Talk about the pyeloplasty scar with the surgeon and what you can do about it if it occurs.
• Damage to Surrounding Organs: There is a minor risk of injury to the surrounding organs, such as the intestines or your blood vessels.

The surgeon will let you know about the possible side effects beforehand. But, obviously, the side effects may vary from one person to another.

What Is Open Pyeloplasty Surgery?

Open pyeloplasty is not performed on everyone but may be required in complex cases or when previous surgeries have not worked on the patient. This procedure involves a larger incision, and this way the surgeon gets direct access to the affected area. It has a longer recovery time, and the scarring will be quite significant too. However, open pyeloplasty surgery can be very effective in resolving complicated obstructions.

Pyeloplasty Complications

Here are some pyeloplasty complications you should know about:

• Recurrent Obstruction: In some of the patient cases, the obstruction might not be fully resolved, or it can happen after the surgery too.
• Urinary Leakage: There may be temporary leakage of urine from the reconstructed junction. But, it will get resolved over a period of time.
• Possible Case Of Hydronephrosis: Swelling of the kidney may occur if the surgery does not resolve the obstruction.

The Long-Term Outcomes of Pyeloplasty

Pyeloplasty is generally regarded as an effective treatment for UPJ obstruction with superlative long-term outcomes. Studies have also shown that the majority of patients experience major improvements in kidney function and a serious reduction in symptoms like pain as well as urinary infections.

Long-term follow-up may be required because some of the complications can get worse. There is a chance of getting kidney stones or urinary leakage. Regular monitoring will be required through CT scans, ultrasounds, etc. If the patient is a child, ongoing assessments are required to ensure normal kidney function and growth as they start maturing.

Lifestyle Adjustments After Pyeloplasty

You might be wondering if life will be normal after the pyeloplasty procedure. Recovery from pyeloplasty also involves certain lifestyle changes to ensure healing and long-term kidney health. Patients are often advised to stay hydrated to facilitate urine flow and reduce the risk of kidney stones. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in salt (sodium) can also help maintain kidney health.

Physical activity is a must. Thus, patients should get back to normal activities like walking or dancing in due course. Do not start lifting heavy weights immediately post-surgery.

Summing Up

Pyeloplasty surgery has proven to be an effective surgical method to resolve ureteropelvic junction instructions. The procedure offers multiple benefits in terms of symptom relief as well as kidney preservation.

Sure, there are a few risks, but doctors are now well-equipped to handle them. The laparoscopic approaches have made it much less invasive and safer as compared to other options. You can expect favorable outcomes after the procedure.

Still got queries in your head? Take a quick look at the FAQs we have put together just for you.

FAQs