After the cardiovascular system, the urinary system is the second most disease-prone area in the human anatomy. The urinary tract issues that people may confront include kidney stones, kidney failure, urinary problems, among several other ailments, not to forget ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).
Dr. Sumanta Mishra, a leading urologist in Bhubaneswar, is an expert in treating ureteropelvic junction obstruction. He is well-versed in laparoscopic surgeries that offer quicker recovery with minimum post-operative trauma.
He excels in treating a wide range of urological issues, including kidney transplants. He is the Head of Renal Transplant Surgery in KIMS Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
If you seek a surgeon for laparoscopic pyeloplasty surgery in Bhubaneswar, then contact Dr. Sumanta Mishra. He is one of the best urologist in Bhubaneswar.
Let's understand ureteropelvic junction obstruction in more depth.
When part of the kidney is obstructed, it is known as ureteropelvic junction obstruction. It is usually constricted at the renal pelvis. It is where one of the ureters connects to the kidney (the tubes that carry urine to the bladder).
The passage of urine out of the kidney is slowed or stopped by the obstruction. Urine can then build up in the kidneys, causing damage. In some cases, surgery is recommended to improve urine flow, while in others, the condition will resolve on its own.
What are the causes for ureteropelvic junction obstruction?
The most common cause of ureteropelvic junction obstruction is congenital. It implies that this health problem is present at birth. It affects one out of every 1,500 children.
The obstruction arises during the formation of the kidney. Nowadays, it is mainly detected utilizing ultrasound prior to birth. UPJO can also happen after surgery, kidney stones, or upper urinary tract inflammation. However, it happens less frequently in adults.
The kidney produces urine quicker than it can empty into the ureter through the renal pelvis. As a result, urine pools in the kidneys, causing kidney swelling (hydronephrosis).
Generally, just one kidney is impacted. The enlarged kidney is visible on ultrasound. That’s why the doctor can predict UPJO during prenatal scanning.
What are the symptoms of ureteropelvic junction obstruction?
As its symptoms are similar to those of a gallbladder stone, urinary issues, and other conditions, UPJO can be difficult to diagnose before any tests.
According to people undergoing UPJO treatment, a few of the symptoms are as follows:
- Sudden pain in the flank or upper abdomen
- Formation of stones near the ureter
- Urinary tract infection
- Haematuria
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
If you have any of the above symptoms, consult Dr. Sumanta Mishra, an experienced urologist in Bhubaneswar, to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
How is ureteropelvic junction obstruction diagnosed?
While ultrasound can assist your doctor in examining your kidneys, other tests are needed to determine UPJO. Your urologist will examine how urine is generated and drained to make an accurate diagnosis. He may ask you to undergo a few tests, such as:
- Blood and urine tests
- CT scan or MRI
- Intravenous pyelogram
- Nuclear renal scan
What are the treatment options for ureteropelvic junction obstruction?
A high number of cases of UPJO, especially in newborns, resolve on their own. The doctor may provide antibiotics to avoid infection during the waiting period.
If the obstruction persists, causing chronic abdominal or flank pain, decreasing kidney function, recurrent infections, and substantial hydronephrosis, pyeloplasty surgery may be necessary.
Pyeloplasty reconstructs the renal pelvis, the region where the ureter connects to the kidney and where a ureteropelvic junction obstruction occurs.
It aims to increase urine flow while also reducing kidney infection and damage.
Pyeloplasty can be done in two ways: open or laparoscopic. In adults, laparoscopic pyeloplasty is the preferred method.
Dr. Sumanta Mishra is highly skilled in performing laparoscopic pyeloplasty surgery in Bhubaneswar. He is renowned for his surgical precision and excellent outcome. You can visit him to know whether laparoscopic surgery is the right option for you or not.
Open pyeloplasty
In this procedure, the urologist will access the impacted renal pelvis through a 2–3-inch incision in the belly, right below the ribs.
Laparoscopic pyeloplasty
The ureteropelvic junction is accessible with laparoscopic pyeloplasty by making three small cuts in the abdomen beneath the ribcage. In order to address the obstruction, the urologist introduces various tools through these minor cuts.
You will need to get regular kidney ultrasounds and functions tested after surgery.
To conclude
If you feel you have ureteropelvic junction obstruction, it is advisable to seek medical help as it can cause severe complications. Even the success rate of pyeloplasty is relatively high when done by one of the top urologist in Bhubaneswar, Dr. Sumanta Mishra. You can schedule an appointment with him at KIMS Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
